Organic gel or liquid chromatography method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a chromatography method in which a gaseous, liquid or supercritical mobile phase containing species to be separated is circulated through a packing, said packing comprising: —a plurality of capillary ducts extending in the packing between an upstream face through which the mobile phase enters the packing and a downstream face through which the mobile phase leaves the packing, and —a continuous medium permeable to molecular diffusion extending between said ducts, comprising a porous organic gel or an organic liquid and including at least one network of connected pores, the size of which is greater than two times the molecular diameter of at least one species to be separated and opening to the ducts, so as to give said at least one species a diffusive path between said ducts. The invention also relates to a packing for the implementation of such a method and a method for manufacturing such a packing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chromatography method on an organicgel or liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chromatography is a molecular separation method aiming at separatingmixed species in a sample under the contradictory action of dynamiccarrying away of said species by a stream of a mobile phase (also called“eluting phase”) and of a retention of said species by a stationaryphase.

The retention conditions depend on the chemical affinity between eachspecies and the stationary phase.

Chromatography is characterized in that it requires great regularity ofthe stationary phase and of its support and low characteristicdiffusional distances. This diffusional distance is generally the sizeof the grains of a solid of a particle bed or the diameter of an emptycapillary tube. In practice, this distance is always less than 0.5 mm.This results in a theoretical number of separation stages greater than200 generally.

Chromatography is a particular technique, which has its advantages andspecific constraints and is differentiated thereby in the same way fromother techniques which apply solid packings and fluids, like adsorptionand heterogeneous catalysis.

In adsorption, it is sought to retain a compound from a fluid effluenton the surface of which it is adsorbed via an isotherm, or on which itreacts. It is sought to purify the fluid. High specific surface areasare needed. High capacity beds are needed. The efficiency of the packingis not critical (number of theoretical plates) and use is preferred ofbeds of granules with diameters from 1 to 2 mm. Indeed, the efficiencyhas only a negligible influence on the dimensioning of the bed insofarthat it will only act on the stiffness of the percolation front, whichis adequate as soon as about 20 theoretical plates are attained. Theadsorbent must then be regenerated by a combination of means,temperature or chemical reaction, which removes the adsorbed or combinedimpurities. The operation is therefore sequential but the cycle timesare numbered in days or in weeks. One dimensions based on the mass ofthe bed. The pressure drops are low.

In catalysis, it is sought to carry out a chemical reaction on thesurface of the solid. It is desired that the reagents remain for anoptimum time in contact with the solid. There again these are adsorptionforces and chemical reaction forces. Interest is focused with criteriaof dwelling time. The reasoning in the number of theoretical plates isinoperative. The regularity of the packing is one factor from amongother ones and is secondary in front of catalytic selectivity. It is notsought to separate molecules. The pressure drops are low.

In chromatography, several species present in a fluid load sequentiallyadmitted according to a short time interval counted in minutes, areseparated. by propagating an inlet point to an outlet point of a solidcolumn under the effect of an eluting fluid The obtained separation maythen be obtained with a very wide variety of forces which compete withthe driving effect of the eluent, partition, adsorption, stericinteractions, ionic interactions, etc. . . . . This method provides ahigh resolving power, each component behaving in a different way. Inorder to enhance this resolving power, the column should have a highnumber of theoretical plates, for example 1,000. This also means thatthe diffusional resistances have to be minimized, and therefore that thediffusion distances are short, and that the column has to be long. Thesecombined factors ensure that chromatography is a technique whichrequires excellent regularity of the flow and therefore of the packing,and a small characteristic dimension of the latter, leading to pressuredrops which become rapidly critical with particulate solids. These arethe problems which have to be solved in chromatography.

On the other hand, preparative chromatography which may be carried outin a practical and simple way is one of the essential problems ofchemical engineering.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,620 of Cussler E. describes the use of polymerichollow fiber bundles for use as a chromatographic column. However hollowfibers act independently of each other like chromatographic columns.Consequently, the differences in behavior between the fibers lead tovery poor efficiencies. The fibers have little or no contact and do notcommunicate through diffusion. They are stacked in a not very compactway. Molecular diffusion can only occur between the conduits. Thisexplains the very small number of theoretical plates of the obtainedseparations, of the order of 40, with respect to the expected maximum ona single fiber, of the order of 6,000.

The publication “Hollow-Fiber Liquid Chromatography” of Hongbing Dingand E. Cussler, AIChE Journal, 1989, Vol 35, No. 5, pp 814-820, detailsthe bases of the previous patent. It is clearly mentioned on page 815that the tests are conducted on modules with a diameter of 4 cmcontaining 27,000 hollow fibers with an inner diameter of 100 μm and awall thickness of 30 μm. A simple calculation shows that the hollowfibers do not have a compact stack, and that the volume outside thefibers represents more than 50% of the total volume of the module. It isalso explicitly mentioned on page 815, in the 3 last lines that thesolvent making up the stationary phase wets the hydrophobic fibers, butdoes not flow through the fiber towards the outside of the fiber. Thevolume outside the fibers therefore remains filled with gas, in thiscase air, and free of any solvent. The result of this is that theresistance to the radial transfer of material between the fibersincreases, causing lowering of the separation efficiency.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,138, of Kanig G. describes a method formanufacturing gels of PS-DVB (PolyStyrene-DiVinylBenzene) provided witha polymeric reinforcement matrix.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,017,015 of Clarke et al. describes the state of the artof the methods for manufacturing organic gels and their application inchromatography columns.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,908, describes the use of X-rays for initiatingpolymerization of the organic gel. This method is particularly usefulfor making bulk packings. It will also be noted that the polymerizationtemperature may be close to room temperature, from 50° C. up to 90° C.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,367 of Xie S. describes methods for obtainingorganic gels. Patent application WO 2011/114017 of Parmentier shows apacking for chromatography consisting of a monolithic porous packing. Inits examples, a packing in a thermosetting polyester resin which may bemade according to the state of the art, is described. However, thispacking consists of a rigid and non-porous polymer not allowing anyappreciable diffusivity. Indeed, publication [1] provides measurementsof permeability and diffusivity of a thermosetting polyester. The resultof this is that the water has in this material a diffusivity of 0.610⁻¹² m²/s, corresponding to a permeability of 750 Barrers. Thispermeability is similar to that of polyethylene or polycarbonate,materials recognized as being leak-proof and non-porous being used formaking containers or impermeable walls. The thermosetting polyestertherefore not allowing an exchange of material by molecular diffusionbetween adjacent conduits, the efficiency of such a packing inchromatography will be limited.

It emerges from the state of the art that these organic monoliths arenot very easy to manufacture, particularly in large dimensions, and withcharacteristics which are difficult to reproduce. They are furthersensitive to the applied pressure and subject to swellings in thepresence of solvents or of molecules to be separated. Their pore size isadjustable with difficulty. Their mechanical fragility makes them notvery capable of resisting significant compressional forces. Thereforethey cannot be used in chromatography columns operating under highpressure drops, greater than a few bars. Present packings are oftenparticulate, having a high pressure drop, and are therefore found to belimited in particle diameter and therefore in efficiency.

Organic monoliths however have many advantages, as compared with silica,particularly in terms of pore size and of chemical stability at a highpH and because of their total insolubility in water.

Therefore there remains the need of proposing stable, efficient andlow-cost organic monoliths which may be manufactured reproducibly withlarge dimensions.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes a chromatography method in which a gas, liquid orsupercritical mobile phase containing species to be separated iscirculated through a packing, said packing comprising:

-   -   a plurality of capillary conduits extending in the packing        between a so-called upstream face through which the mobile phase        penetrates into the packing and a so-called downstream face        through which the mobile phase emerges from the packing, and    -   a continuous medium permeable to molecular diffusion extending        between said conduits, including a porous organic gel or an        organic liquid and including at least one network of connected        pores, the size of which is greater than twice the molecular        diameter of at least one species to be separated and open on the        conduits, so as to provide to said at least one species, a        diffusive path between said conduits.

According to an embodiment, the capillary conduits cross the packingright though between the upstream face and the downstream face.According to another embodiment, the capillary conduits are included inthe packing and have at least one end opening inside said packing.

Advantageously, the mobile phase penetrates the totality of the firstpopulation of connected pores so as to achieve a continuum of monophasicmobile phase between the conduits.

Advantageously, the molecular diffusion of the species to be separatedbetween the conduits is carried out within said mobile phase continuum.

Advantageously, the average molar flow rate of diffusion of the speciesto be separated between the adjacent conduits under the effect of agiven concentration difference of said species between the walls of saidconduits is greater than 0.01 times the average molar diffusion flowrate of the species between a conduit and the stationary phase made upby the packing under the effect of a same difference in concentration ofthe species to be separated between the fluid conveyed by the conduitsand the wall of said conduits.

Preferably, the permittivity of said continuous medium towards speciesto be separated is greater than 5,000 Barrer, i.e. greater than 5.10⁻⁷(cm³ O₂ cm)/(cm²·s cm Hg).

According to an embodiment, the diameter of the capillary conduits ofthe packing is less than or equal to 500 μm, preferably less than orequal to 150 μm and even more preferably less than or equal to 50 μm.

According to an embodiment, said continuous medium is formed with anorganic gel, said organic gel being selected from among:

(a) a copolymer of styrene and of divinylbenzene,

(b) polymethyl methacrylate,

(c) a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and of divinylbenzene.

According to another embodiment, said continuous medium is formed withan organic gel, said organic gel being a polyholoside.

According to another embodiment, said continuous medium is formed withan organic liquid extending in said network of connected pores, saidorganic liquid being selected from among:

(a) an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon,

(b) an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol,

(c) an aliphatic or aromatic ketone,

(d) an aliphatic or aromatic amine,

(d) a halogenated organic compound.

The packing may comprise an organic gel monolith permeable to moleculardiffusion through which extends said capillary conduits, said network ofconnected pores extending within said organic gel.

Alternatively, the packing comprises a monolith of a chemically inertporous material containing said network of connected pores, said poresbeing filled with said organic gel or with said organic liquid permeableto molecular diffusion.

Alternatively, the packing comprises a monolith of a chemically inertporous material containing said continuous network of pores, the surfaceof said pores being covered with an organic gel permeable to moleculardiffusion over a thickness selected so as to leave, in said network ofpores, a free volume for diffusion of the mobile phase, said organic gelforming a continuous network of pores between the conduits.

Preferably, the chemically inert material of said monolith is selectedfrom silica, alumina, or a combination of silica and of alumina.

According to an embodiment, the packing comprises a stack of porousfibers each comprising a lumen forming a capillary conduit of thepacking and a wall comprising a network of connected pores, said fibersbeing made contiguous with the porous organic gel or the organic liquidpermeable to molecular diffusion.

The wall of each fibre may be formed with said organic gel permeable tomolecular diffusion.

Alternatively, the pores of the wall of each fibre are filled with saidgel or with said organic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion.

Alternatively, the surface of the pores of the wall of each fibre iscovered with an organic gel permeable to molecular diffusion over athickness selected so as to leave, in said network of pores, a freespace for diffusion of the mobile phase, said organic gel forming acontinuous network of pores inside said wall.

According to an embodiment, the organic gel permeable to moleculardiffusion forms the chromatographic stationary phase.

Alternatively, the organic gel has pores containing a solid body thirdparty forming the chromatographic stationary phase.

Another object of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing apacking for applying the chromatography method described above,comprising the following steps:

-   -   providing a bundle of so-called precursor threads of the        capillary conduits,    -   forming a porous matrix around threads or conduits, so as to        form a monolith,    -   removing the threads so as to form said capillary conduits.

The matrix is advantageously an organic gel.

Alternatively, the matrix comprises a chemically inert material and saidmatrix is loaded with an organic gel.

The precursor threads of the capillary conduits are advantageouslythreads which are meltable at a temperature less than the degradationtemperature of the matrix and the removal of said threads comprises themelting and the draining of said threads out of the packing.

For example, the meltable threads comprise indium, bismuth, tin,gallium, silver or one of their alloys with other metals excluding lead,mercury and cadmium.

Another object of the invention relates to another method formanufacturing a packing for applying the chromatography method describedabove, comprising the following steps:

-   -   providing a compact bundle of hollow fibers,    -   including in the porous wall of the hollow fibers an organic gel        or a precursor of said organic gel intended to be polymerized in        situ, so as to leave the lumen free and open of the hollow        fibers,    -   creating a diffusive connection between said hollow fibers with        said organic gel or liquid.

Another object of the invention relates to another method formanufacturing a packing for applying the chromatography method describedabove, in which molding of the organic gel is achieved in a structuredefining said capillary conduits.

Another object of the invention relates to a packing for chromatography,comprising:

-   -   a plurality of capillary conduits crossing the packing between a        so-called upstream face intended for the entry of the phase into        the packing and a so-called downstream face intended for the        outflow of the mobile phase of the packing, and    -   a continuous medium permeable to molecular diffusion extending        between said conduits, including a porous organic gel or an        organic liquid and including at least a family of connected        pores.

Advantageously, the diameter of the capillary conduits of the packing isless than or equal to 500 μm, preferably less than or equal to 150 μmand still more preferably less than or equal to 80 μm.

When the continuous medium is formed with an organic gel, said organicgel may be selected from among:

(a) a copolymer of styrene and of divinylbenzene,

(b) polymethyl methacrylate,

(c) a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and of divinylbenzene.

Alternatively, the organic gel may be a polyholoside.

When said continuous medium is formed with an organic liquid extendinginto the network of connected pores, said organic liquid is selectedfrom among:

(a) an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon,

(b) an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol,

(c) an aliphatic or aromatic ketone,

(d) an aliphatic or aromatic amine,

(d) a halogenated organic compound.

According to an embodiment, the packing comprises an organic gelmonolith permeable to molecular diffusion through which said capillaryconduits extend.

According to another embodiment, the packing comprises a monolith of achemically inert porous material having a continuous network of pores,said pores being filled with said gel or said organic liquid permeableto molecular diffusion.

According to another embodiment, the packing comprises a monolith of achemically inert porous material having a continuous network of pores,the surface of said pores being covered with the organic gel permeableto molecular diffusion over a selective thickness so as to retain, insaid network of pores, a free space for diffusion of the mobile phase,said organic gel forming a continuous network of pores between theconduits.

According to another embodiment, the packing comprises a stack of porousfibers each comprising a lumen forming a capillary conduit of thepacking and a wall comprising a continuous network of pores, said fibersbeing made contiguous by the gel or organic liquid permeable tomolecular diffusion.

The wall of each fiber may then be formed with said organic gelpermeable to molecular diffusion.

Alternatively, the pores of the wall of each fiber are filled with saidgel or with said organic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from thedetailed description which follows, with reference to the appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a block diagram of a monolithic packingaccording to an embodiment of the invention in a plane parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said packing,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a block diagram of said packing in a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said packing,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a block diagram of a multicapillarypacking comprising a dimensionally stable porous backbone, the pores ofwhich are covered with an organic gel permeable to molecular diffusion,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a block diagram of a packing formed with astack of hollow fibers according to an embodiment of the invention in aplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said packing,

FIGS. 5 and 6 are top and sectional views of a molded organic gel,

FIG. 7 shows the efficiency of a multicapillary packing in which thewall of the conduits is non-porous (a) and porous (b).

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the diffusive flows between adjacent conduits andinside a same conduit.

FIGS. 10 and 11 explicit two alternative embodiments of a chromatographymethod.

FIG. 12 illustrates a packing formed with an organic gel consisting ofan organometal material including in its bulk the product of aco-condensation of orthosilicates and of silanes.

FIG. 13 illustrates a packing according to the invention formed with anorganic or mineral porous mass comprising particles or nanoparticlesdispersed in its pores.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a computer simulation of theseparation of two chemical species on a multicapillary packing withporous walls, the diameter of the communicating pores thereof beinggreater than twice the molecular diameter of these species.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a computer simulation of theseparation of the same chemical species on a packing having identicaldimensional characteristics with those of the packing used for thesimulation of FIG. 14 but for which the diameter of the communicatingpores is less than twice the molecular diameter of one of these species.

FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional view along a direction parallel to itsmajor axis of an alternative of a packing for chromatography accordingto an embodiment of the invention wherein the conduits are included in aporous monolithic mass,

FIGS. 17 to 24 are views of the construction of a chromatographiccolumn,

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a method for assembling precursor threads ofthe conduits of a monolith,

FIG. 27 schematically illustrates the assembling of the bundle ofthreads in the part 90.

FIG. 28 illustrates a perforated sheet, the holes of which aredistributed in layers with three different diameters.

FIG. 29 illustrates chromatographic responses of a same column in thecase when the eluted molecule is of a molecular diameter of less thantwice the diameter of the pores giving the possibility of diffusionbetween the adjacent conduits (curve in dotted lines), and in the casewhen its molecular diameter, greater than twice the diameter of thepores, does not allow this (curve in solid lines), the column containingthree ferries of conduits with different diameters arranged insuperposed layers,

FIG. 30 illustrates chromatographic responses of a same column in thecase when the eluted molecule is of a molecular diameter less than twicethe diameter of the pores allowing diffusion between the adjacentconduits (curve in dotted lines), and in the case when its moleculardiameter, greater than twice the diameter of the pores, does not allowthis (curve in solid lines), the column contains conduits for which thediameters are randomly distributed according to a Gaussian law for whichthe standard deviation corresponds to 5% of the mean diameter of theconduits.

FIGS. 31 to 34 illustrate chromatograms obtained by means of a deviceaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The chromatography method uses a stationary phase which appears as apacking for which different embodiments will be described hereafter anda mobile phase containing species to be separated.

Chromatography is a particular molecular separation method characterizedin that it carries out a separation of a mixture of chemical substancesunder the contradictory action

-   -   of a dynamic carrying away of these species by a stream of an        eluting phase    -   of a retention of these species by a stationary phase.

Preferably, this method is continued until complete elution of theseparated species out of the stationary phase.

Two general categories of a chromatography method are distinguished,elution chromatography and affinity chromatography.

FIG. 10 describes an elution chromatography method. According to thismethod, a continuous flow of mobile phase 28 with an optionally variablecomposition and temperature over time crosses the chromatographic column21 filled with a stationary phase 22. A load volume to be separated 23is injected into the supply flow. Under the antagonistic effect ofreversible retention of the chemical species by the stationary phase andof the elution or carrying away by the mobile phase, the species migrateat different velocities along the column 21 and separate into bands orelution peaks 24, 25, 26, etc. . . .

The separated species are isolated by fractionating the outflowing flowfrom the column so as to collect each band upon its exit from the columnin the elution solvent.

This fractionation may be time-based in the case of a discontinuous orangular method in the case of a continuous annular device. It mayconsist in the separation of a head fraction and of a tail fraction fora device with a simulated mobile bed.

The chromatogram represents the concentration peaks of the species 24,25, 26 at the column outlet versus time.

FIG. 11 describes an affinity chromatography method allowing theseparation of biomolecules. A continuous solvent 30 flow containing thebiomolecule to be separated 27 feeds the chromatographic column 21filled with a stationary phase 22 having strong affinity for thebiomolecule to be separated. Under the effect of this strong affinity,the molecule binds onto the stationary phase continuously untilsaturation of the latter. This binding is quasi irreversible underconditions of this first phase. The progression front 31 of theconcentration in 27 is in this case a segment progressing towards theoutlet. The column is saturated when the concentration in 27 becomesignificant in the solvent at the outlet of the column.

During a second phase, the properties (pH, ionic force, etc. . . . ) orthe nature of the elution solvent 29 are changed so as to reduce orremove the affinity of the biomolecule 27 for the stationary phase 22,and to solubilize the biomolecule in the solvent 29. The biomolecule 27is eluted in the solvent 29 leaving the column 21 until depletion of theamount present in the latter. The column 21 is then regenerated and isready for a new cycle.

The chromatograms represent concentration profiles of the species 27 atthe outlet of the column versus time, during attachment and then elutionphases.

Advantageously, the invention resorts to an elution chromatographymethod.

Elution chromatography may be conducted with any known technique, suchas for example discontinuous chromatography on a column, radial or axialcontinuous annular chromatography, the simulated mobile bed.

Advantageously, the chromatography method applied may be an affinitychromatography method.

Advantageously, a chromatographic separation or a chromatography methodwill be characterized conveniently in that it comprises at least 300theoretical stages, and preferably at least 1000 theoretical stages.

This differentiates it from separations with membranes, from catalyticprocesses and from separations by adsorption or ion exchange inparticular.

It is advantageously possible to calculate the number of optimum NETtheoretical stages of a method for a compound not retained by theformula:

NETMax=1.61*L/(Dh+e*P)

Wherein L is the length of the column, Dh is the average hydraulicdiameter (arithmetic mean) of the conduits, e is the average thicknessof the walls, P is the void fraction of the walls.

The chromatography applies in liquid, gas and supercritical phases.

The invention gives the possibility of optimizing the efficiency and therapidity of a chromatographic process by selecting the morphology andthe structure of the packing which is the most advantageous.

The invention relates to a chromatography method in which a mobile phasecontaining species to be separated is circulated through a packing,

said packing comprising:

-   -   a plurality of capillary conduits crossing the packing between a        so-called upstream face through which the mobile phase        penetrates into the packing and a so-called downstream face        through which the mobile phase leaves the packing, and    -   a continuous and connected medium permeable to molecular        diffusion extending between said conduits, including a porous        organic gel or an organic liquid and including a family of pores        ensuring connectivity between said conduits.

The method therefore comprises material exchange between the mobilephase and a stationary phase, which may consist of the gel or theorganic liquid itself or of a third party solid body contained in theporosity of the organic gel.

By “permeable to molecular diffusion”, is meant that the conduits of thepacking are connected through a continuous and connected phase includingat least one porous organic gel and/or an organic liquid on the one handand optionally a mobile phase on the other hand, and including a familyof pores ensuring connectivity between said conduits.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than twice the molecular diameter of at least one species to beseparated. Advantageously, when there exists several species to beseparated, the size of the pores is greater than twice the moleculardiameter of at least two species to be eluted sequentially, or even ofall the species to be separated.

This feature gives the possibility of using the packing under optimumefficiency conditions. This is illustrated by FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a computer simulation of theseparation of two chemical species in a multicapillary packing withporous walls, for which the diameter of the communicating pores isgreater than twice the molecular diameter of each of these species. Thecapillary conduits of the packing have statistical variability on theirdiameter. These diameters are distributed on a Gauss curve for which thestandard deviation is equal to 5% of their average diameter.

These species are for example a mineral salt like sodium chloride 40 anda peptide 41 dissolved in water.

Good separation of the two elution peaks is ascertained giving thepossibility of separating both species.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a computer simulation of theseparation of the same chemical species on a packing having identicaldimensional characteristics but for which the diameter of the connectedpores is greater than twice the molecular diameter of the species 40 andis less than twice the molecular diameter of the species 41.

It is ascertained that both peaks overlap and no longer allow anefficient and complete separation of both species. This effect is due tothe fact that the porous nature of the gel allows equilibration of theconcentrations between the conduits by molecular diffusion in the caseof species 40 and no longer allows this in the case of species 41.Consequently, the species 41 is subject to an additional significantspreading-out due to the irregular nature of the diameters of thecapillary conduits which is no longer compensated by molecular diffusionbetween the adjacent conduits.

Therefore, in order to optimize the performances of the separation inthe presence of two species (or more) having consecutive peaks, it willbe ensured that the size of the connected pores is greater than twicethe molecular diameter of each of said species.

The molecular diffusion is conventionally related to a difference ofconcentration and to the diffusion coefficient through Fick's law.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than 10 times the molecular diameter of the species to beseparated.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than twice and less than 1,000 times the molecular diameter ofthe species to be separated.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than twice and less than 30 times the molecular diameter of thespecies to be separated.

Advantageously, the mobile phase penetrates the totality of the firstpopulation of connected pores so as to achieve a monophasic continuum ofmobile phase between the conduits.

Advantageously, the molecular diffusion of the mobile phase among theconduits is carried out within said mobile phase continuum.

The significance of molecular diffusion is thereby increased among theconduits.

Advantageously, the continuous and connected phase connecting theconduits is a condensed phase.

Advantageously, the continuous and connected porous medium extendingbetween the walls does not have any material interruption.

The porosity of the material may advantageously be defined inchromatography in three ways:

-   -   1. The porosity of an organic gel may stem from the swelling of        a cross-linked gel in an organic, mineral or aqueous solvent,        swelling advantageously representing more than 2% of its volume,        and preferentially more than 10% of its volume.    -   2. It may stem from a porosity of the gel in the non-solvated        state.    -   3. It may stem from the porosity of a support onto which a        polymeric gel is deposited as a thin layer.

Within this definition of molecular permeability, it is advantageouslymeant that under the conditions of the chromatography method and for thespecies to be separated:

-   -   on the one hand the average molar diffusion flow rate Phip        between the adjacent conduits under the effect of a given        difference of concentration of the species to be separated        between the walls of said conduits.    -   on the other hand, the average molar diffusion flow rate Phic        between a conduit and the stationary phase making up the packing        under the effect of a same difference in concentration of the        species to be separated between the fluid conveyed through the        conduits and the wall of said conduits, are close to each other.

By average flow rate, is meant that the flow rate is the average of thisflow rate measured on the packing as a whole.

By convention, it will be considered that the molar diffusion flow ratePhic between a conduit and the stationary phase which forms the packing,is measured by imposing a uniform concentration at the wall Cs and bycalculating the exchange towards the average concentration Ce of thefluid flowing through the conduit. This is expressed by a Sherwoodnumber equal to 3.66 in the case of a tube of circular section in whichflows a fluid in laminar flow. By close to each other, it is inparticular meant that said molar flow rate of material transfer of thespecies to be separated between the adjacent conduits between theirwalls is at least 0.01 times, advantageously at least 0.1 times and evenmore advantageously at least 0.5 times the term of said molar flow raterelated to the material transfer between the conduits and theirstationary phase.

In the present text, the molecular diameter will be calculated in twoways depending on the molecular weight of the relevant substance.

For substances having a gas phase and for which the critical coordinatesare accessible, the co-volume, the term b of the Van der Waals equation,divided by 4 and by the Avogadro number will be used and the diameter ofa sphere with an equivalent volume will be calculated. Indeed it isknown that the co-volume b is equal to four times the molecular volume.The co-volume is easily accessible from critical coordinates of therelevant body.

For macromolecules, biological molecules (proteins, etc. . . . ) andmolecules for which the critical coordinates are inaccessible, thehydrodynamic diameter measured by dynamic light diffusion will be used.

The mobile phase is, under the application conditions of the method, inthe gas, liquid state or in the supercritical state.

Preferably, the mobile phase is, under the application conditions of themethod, in the liquid state or in the supercritical state.

In a more preferential way, the mobile phase is, under the applicationconditions of the method, in the liquid state.

Indeed, the efficiency of a packing increases proportionally with thedensity and with the diffusivity of the mobile phase which crosses it.In order to increase the efficiency of the packing, the density of themobile phase crossing it is increased by operating in the vicinity ofthe critical point of said mobile phase or in the liquid state.

Moreover, the packing has sufficient solidity, rigidity and mechanicalstrength for allowing handling of the packing.

The packing may advantageously be applied on an industrial scale withpressure drops comprised between one and a few bars per meter.

The packing applied in the present invention is a porous packing whichcomprises a plurality of parallel capillary conduits which extend in thedirection of circulation of the mobile phase, this direction beingconsidered as the longitudinal direction of the packing. Such a packingis said to be “multicapillary”.

These conduits may be seen as a set of anisotropic macropores distinctfrom the packing material which surrounds them and in which they areincluded, and in which the mobile phase flows in a convective way.

Advantageously, the conduits are rectilinear, cross right through themonolith and open in its upstream and downstream faces.

In such a packing, the capillary conduits are advantageously empty ofany solid material while the material which surrounds the conduits isporous. In particular, at least the wall of the conduits has acontinuous network of pores, said pores being open on the conduits.

The capillary conduits are advantageously rectilinear, even if it is notexcluded that conduits have bends or angles.

The capillary conduits have a uniform section relatively to each otherand over their length.

The section variability of the conduits will conveniently be defined bya relative standard deviation. This relative standard deviationrepresents the ratio of the standard deviation of the diameter of theconduits over the average diameter of the conduits, expressed as apercentage. Advantageously, the conduits have a substantially constantaverage diameter from one conduit to the other, such that the standarddeviation of the diameter on the sample of conduits of the packing doesnot exceed 30% of the average diameter, preferably does not exceed 10%of the average diameter, and even more preferentially does not exceed2.0% of the average diameter. In the present text, by average of a setof values of a variable X is meant its arithmetic mean E[X]. Thestandard deviation is defined as the square root of the arithmetic meanof (X−E[X])². By distribution, is meant in the present text a set ofvalues of the variable X.

Advantageously, the diameter does not vary by more than 50% over thelength of a same conduit.

Advantageously, the diameter does not vary preferably by no more than20% over the length of a same conduit. Still more advantageously, thediameter does not vary by more than 10% over the length of a sameconduit. Still preferably, the diameter does not vary by more than 2%over the length of a same conduit.

Advantageously, the conduits cross the packing right through, therebygiving the possibility of minimizing the pressure drop within thepacking during the chromatographic separation method.

Advantageously, the volume of the capillary conduits represents morethan 5% of the total volume of the packing, preferably more than 30% ofsaid total volume and still more preferably more than 50% of the totalvolume of the packing. In the present text by “total volume of thepacking” is meant the volume occupied by the packing, including itsporosity and its conduits; said total volume may therefore be calculatedfrom the external dimensions of said packing. The volume of the conduitsis measured in the following way: number of conduits×average section ofa conduit×average length of a conduit.

Advantageously, the volume occupied by the organic gel in the packing isgreater than 2% of the volume of the packing excluding the conduits,preferably greater than 10% of said volume and even more preferablygreater than 40% of said volume. By “volume of the packing excluding theconduits”, is meant the difference between the total volume of thepacking and the volume of the capillary conduits.

The conduits may have a section of any suitable shape, for example acircular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, star-shaped, slot-shaped form,etc. When the conduits have a non-circular section, by “diameter” ofsaid conduits is meant their hydraulic diameter.

Advantageously, the conduits have a hydraulic diameter of less than orequal to 500 μm. According to an embodiment, the hydraulic diameter ofthe conduits is less than or equal to 150 μm, or even less than or equalto 50 μm. The hydraulic diameter is conventionally calculated as beingequal to four times the section of a conduit (in m²) divided by theperimeter of said conduit wetted by the mobile phase (in m).

For a liquid phase chromatography method, the conduits preferably have adiameter of less than 500 μm, very preferentially less than 30 μm, andeven more preferentially less than 15 μm.

For a chromatography method in a supercritical phase, the conduitspreferably have a diameter of less than 80 μm, preferably less than 30μm, and still more preferentially less than 5 μm.

For a gas chromatography method, the conduits preferably have a diameterof less than 500 μm, preferably less than 250 μm, and even morepreferentially less than 50 μm.

Indeed, liquid phase chromatography is carried out in a simple way inapparatuses subject to gravity, where the weight of the fluid column onthe packing causes its flow.

The upper limit of the diameter of the capillaries will be obtained whenthe flow of the fluid at the velocity allowing the optimum of theefficiency of the packing will cause a pressure drop equal to the weightof the relevant fluid column over the height of the bed.

It is known that for a multicapillary packing at the optimum efficiency:

$\frac{V_{C}*d_{C}}{D_{0}} = V_{R}$

The Poiseuille law is written as

${\Delta \; P} = \frac{32*\mu*{LG}*v_{C}}{d_{C}^{2}}$

The pressure caused by the fluid height LG is written as

ΔP=ρ*g*LG

The result of this is that:

$d_{m\; {ax}} = \sqrt[3]{\frac{32*\mu*D_{0}*V_{R}}{\rho*g}}$

The table below exemplifies d_(max) for different liquids common inchromatography.

V_(R) is generally comprised between 2 and 5.

In a simplified way the value of 50 μm may be assumed as the uppercutoff threshold of the diameter of the conduits giving the possibilityof usefully benefiting from the advantages of multicapillarychromatography. In the same simplified way, the value of 80 μm may beassumed as an upper cutoff threshold of the inner diameter of theconduits taking into account the thickness of the stationary phase.

In these formulae, V_(c) is the velocity of the mobile phase in theconduit, d_(c) is the average inner diameter of the conduit, D₀ is thediffusivity of the species to be separated in the mobile phase, μ is theviscosity of the mobile phase, ρ is the density of the mobile phase, LGis the length of the column, g is the acceleration of gravity, ΔP is thepressure drop of the fluid in the conduit, d_(max) is the maximumadmissible average inner diameter for chromatographic separation. Allthese quantities are expressed in the SI unit system.

Advantageously, the conduits are distributed over a single mode, i.e.around a single average diameter.

Without leaving the scope of the invention, the diameter of the conduitsmay however be distributed over several modes, and in particular overtwo modes. Known laws relating averages and variances of severalpopulations may be applied so as to observe the previous numericalconstraints relating average and relative standard deviation.

Moreover, the conduits may be regularly positioned along a regularsquare or triangular axial mesh. By this is meant that the axes of theconduits are positioned at the apices of closely stacked squares withsubstantially constant sides or of equilateral triangles closely stackedwith substantially constant sides.

Finally, the relative standard deviation of the thickness of the wallseparating two adjacent conduits measured over a section of the packingis preferably less than 30%, even more preferentially less than 10%, andeven more preferentially less than 2.0%. In this case, the relativestandard deviation characterizes the ratio between the standarddeviation of the thickness of the wall and its average, expressed in %.

Advantageously, the packing may have any specific surface area comprisedbetween 0.1 and 1,200 m²/g.

Advantageously, when the packing comprises a porous monolithic organicgel, acting as a stationary phase by adsorption on its porous surface,this surface will preferably be greater than 60 m²/g, and even morepreferentially comprised between 80 and 600 m²/g. This surface may be acrude surface or modified by a chemical surface treatment.

Advantageously, when the packing comprises an organic gel supported byan underlying structure and acting in its bulk by penetration of themolecules to be separated into its volume, the supporting structure ofthe organic phase will have a specific surface area preferably less than60 m²/g, preferably less than 20 m²/g, and even more preferentially lessthan 2 m²/g.

Advantageously, the average pore size of the walls of the conduits ofthe packing will be comprised between a few Angstroms and a few hundrednanometers according to the needs and to the used type ofchromatography.

The porous volume of the walls of the packing will advantageously becomprised between 0 cm³/g (such is the case when the walls of thepacking are filled with a liquid stationary phase for example) andseveral cm³/g (case of the present monolithic polymeric stationaryphases of the PS-DVB type for example).

As discussed above, the invention applies a packing which comprises agel or an organic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion.

This gel or organic liquid may be the constitutive material of thepacking, or else only form a portion of the packing, for example asimpregnation of the porosity of a porous material of a different natureor as a coating layer deposited on a porous material of different natureso as to cover the pores of said material.

According to an embodiment, the packing is a monolith formed with saidorganic gel. In this packing, the organic gel forms a continuousbackbone defining a continuous network of pores extending between theconduits and open on the conduits.

According to another embodiment, the packing is a monolith comprising aporous backbone formed with a material other than an organic gel and forwhich the pores are filled with a gel or an organic liquid. Thus, thegel or the organic liquid forms a continuous medium permeable tomolecular diffusion extending between the conduits.

According to an alternative, the packing is a monolith comprising aporous backbone formed with a material other than an organic gel and forwhich the surface of the pores is covered with an organic gel film, sothat the pores of the material contain a residual volume without anyorganic gel, free for diffusion of the mobile phase.

According to another embodiment, the packing comprises a stack of porousand hollow fibers. Each fiber comprises a lumen forming a capillaryconduit and a wall comprising a continuous network of pores.

Advantageously, these fibers are stacked in a compact way so as tooccupy more than 60% of the total volume of the packing, and preferablymore than 80% of the total volume of the packing.

According to an embodiment, each fiber consists of an organic gel.

Alternatively, each fiber is covered or impregnated with an organic gel.

Preferably, said fibers are made contiguous by means of the gel ororganic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion.

As compared with packings consisting of a porous mass of organic gelwithout any capillary conduits, a multicapillary packing of organic gelhas, at equal efficiency, a pressure drop which is clearly smaller (bythe order of 10 to 30 times less).

Therefore, the formation of capillary conduits in the packing gives thepossibility of compensating for the relatively low mechanical strengthof the packing in organic gel by reduction of the pressure drop andtherefore obtaining moderate mechanical stresses exerted on the packingduring the chromatography method.

In order to ensure good mechanical cohesion of the packing, thecapillary conduits are advantageously secured mechanically by means of acontinuous solid medium between the conduits and containing a gel ororganic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion. This continuous mediumgenerates a link between the conduits which allows molecular diffusionto be carried out freely between adjacent conduits.

As this will be discussed below, the application of a diffusive exchangebetween the conduits gives the possibility of increasing the number oftheoretical plates available for a chromatographic separation method,and thus increase the efficiency of such a method.

The application of a diffusive exchange between the conduits gives thepossibility of leveling the differences in behaviors between individualconduits. It is therefore necessary to increase the intensity of theseexchanges in order to obtain an increase in the efficiency measured interms of available theoretical plates.

The increase in this efficiency is expressed by a more significantresolving power of the packing towards a given mixture. A mixture ofspecies with very close properties may be resolved more easily, andthese species separated with a greater degree of purity.

In so far that the organic gel is subject to some swelling between thedry state and the wet state, it is advantageous, in order to avoidvariations in diameter of the conduits, to reinforce the organic gel bymeans of a dimensionally more stable structure than said organic gel.

By “dimensionally stable structure” is meant a structure having littleor no mechanical deformation under the conditions of use of the packing.In particular, this structure does not have any notable swelling effectin the presence of the characteristic eluting solvents of achromatography method in a liquid or supercritical phase, said swellingremaining advantageously less than 10% of the total volume of thepacking, and preferably less than 2% of said total volume.

A dimensionally stable structure which may be used for obtaining apacking adapted to the application of the invention comprises a volumeas porous as possible intended to be used as a reservoir for the gel ororganic liquid. Said porous volume is preferably greater than 20% of thevolume of the packing excluding the conduits, advantageously greaterthan 40% of this volume, and still more advantageously greater than 60%of this volume.

Advantageously, such a dimensionally stable structure has a chemicallyinert surface and a low specific surface area in order not to interferewith the chromatography method taking place in the organic gel.Advantageously, this specific surface area will be less than 20 m²/g,preferably less than 2 m²/g, and still more preferentially less than 0.2m²/g.

According to an embodiment, the dimensionally stable structure is awoven fabric or a non-woven fabric in a mineral or organic material.Advantageously, this fabric is in one or several structural fibers likeglass fiber, carbon fiber, aramide fiber, metal fiber or one of theirmixtures. In order to form said structure, a weaving technique isadvantageously used: precursor fibers of the conduits (i.e. having anouter diameter equal to the diameter of the conduits and intended to besubsequently destroyed for forming the conduits) are woven as a weft andstructural fibers are arranged as a warp, or vice versa. The fabric isshaped, for example rolled or stacked. It is impregnated with aprecursor liquid of the organic gel or of a porous matrix of anothermaterial. The precursor liquid is polymerized and the porous matrix isbound so as to give the assembly an optimum mechanical strength. Thestructural fiber ensures the support of the stresses related to theswellings of the material and improves its durability and itsdimensional stability in operation.

Alternatively, the dimensionally stable structure is a bundle of fibersin a mineral or organic material.

According to another embodiment, the dimensionally stable structure is areinforcement load like fibers, micro-fibers, nano-fibers either cut ormilled, precipitated silicas, kieselguhr, etc. From among the cut,chopped or milled fibers, fibers of polyolefins, of glass, of silica, ofaramides, of metal will be noted.

According to an embodiment, the dimensionally stable structure forms therigid backbone of the packing. This dimensionally stable structure maybe a multicapillary monolithic porous structure like a monolith inceramic, in metal or in polymer. From among the possible ceramics,mention will be made in particular but in a non-limiting way of titaniumoxide, zirconium oxide, aluminas, aluminosilicates, cordierite, mullite,silica, glass, metal silicates like zinc, magnesium, calcium, aluminium,titanium, zirconium silicates, etc. or aluminosilicates of these metals.These monoliths may be obtained by known methods, for example byextrusion and sintering. However these methods by extrusion are poorlyadapted for producing conduits with a diameter of less than 0.8 to 1.2mm and are therefore not very efficient towards diffusive phenomena, inparticular they will not be very productive.

Advantageously, said monoliths are obtained by any of the methodsdescribed in the applications WO 2011/114017 and WO 2013/064754 ofParmentier.

Such monoliths advantageously comprise a volume as porous as possible inorder to be used as a reservoir for the gel or organic liquid,preferably greater than 20% of the volume of the packing excluding theconduits, advantageously greater than 40% of this volume, and even moreadvantageously greater than 60% of this volume.

Multicapillary monoliths for producing the invention will beadvantageously based on networks of organic or mineral polymers.

Multicapillary monoliths for producing the invention will advantageouslybe based on networks of highly cross-linked polymers or on porous silicaor alumina networks or one of their combinations. These networks may beproduced in the same way as the packings presently called monolithicpackings for chromatography, which are non-multicapillary macroporousmonoliths of high porosity.

By a combination of silica and alumina, is meant any formulation mainlycontaining silica and alumina in a combined form, or as a mixture, orsimultaneously in a combined form and as a mixture. In particular, themulticapillary monolith may consist of a bimodal silica. This bimodalsilica consists of a three-dimensional mesoporous porous backbone inwhich is included a volume of interconnected macropores. In this case,the organic gel is optionally occluded in the volume of the mesopores.

By “mesopores”, are meant pores for which the diameter is comprisedbetween 2 and 50 nanometers; by “macropores” are meant pores for whichthe diameter is greater than 50 nanometers; by “micropores” are meantpores for which the diameter is less than 2 nanometers.

The sizes of pores mentioned in the present text are measured accordingto two different techniques depending on the nature of the testedmaterial: when this is a mineral material and in particular silica, theemployed technique is porosimetry with mercury for macro- andmeso-porosity, and nitrogen adsorption for microporosity; when these arepolymeric materials or based on mineral matrices covered with organicgels, porosimetry with mercury is used for the macroporosity and theporosimetry by nitrogen adsorption for mesoporosity and microporosity.

According to an embodiment, the organic gel covers the backbone of themesopores. The volume of the macropores remains advantageously open andinterconnected so as to ensure free diffusion of the species containedin the mobile phase in the bulk of the monolith.

Advantageously, the volume of the mesopores and macropores is increased.

It is also possible to stabilize a supporting monolith in silica byprecipitation or adsorption of zirconium oxide on its surface so as tomake it stable at an alkaline pH. Advantageously, as a support of theorganic gel or of the organic liquid bimodal silicas are used for whichthe volume of the mesopores is comprised between 10% and 40% of thetotal porous volume.

Advantageously, as a support of the organic gel or of the organicliquid, bimodal silicas are used, for which the volume of the macroporesis comprised between 60% and 90% of the total porous volume.

When the organic gel is included in a porous structure, it may consistof molecules with a low molecular weight, advantageously less than 1,000g/mol, even more advantageously less than 500 g/mol, and still morepreferentially less than 150 g/mol. These substances of low molecularweights may in this particular case be organic liquids. In the case ofthe liquid phase chromatography, the organic liquids which may be usedan organic gel for applying the invention will in particular bealdehydes, ketones (methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylcyclohexanone, dimethyl cyclohexanone), esters (cyclohexyl acetate,furfuryl acetate, amyl acetate), ethers (2-chloro-2-methoxy diethylether, diisopropyl ether) of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons(hexane, dodecane, and benzene, toluene), alcohols (iso-butanol,pentanol, octanol, dodecanol, methyl cyclohexanol, 2-ethyl hexanol),carboxylic acids (octanoic acids, naphthenic acids). Other organicliquids may be used, such as tributyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate,trioctyl phosphine oxide, esters of phosphonic acid, dimethyl phthalate,diethyl oxalate, arylsulfonic acids, hydroxyoximes, derivatives ofoximes, beta-diketones, alkylaryl sulfonamides, primary, secondary,tertiary, quaternary amines, etc. . . .

An advantage of the organic liquids relatively to the organic gels istheir very homogeneous ageing, which gives the possibility ofmaintaining a homogeneous chromatography method within the packing evenwhen the latter is subject to ageing.

Such ageing is notably due to the presence of contaminating particles.Unlike organic gel, the organic liquid allows diffusion of suchparticles in its bulk so as to obtain a regular distribution within theliquid.

When the method is used for separating biological molecules, for exampleproteins, the organic liquid preferably contains nanometric micelles ofaqueous solutions stabilized in the less polar phase by surfactants,called reversed micelles. These reversed micelles are provided with acertain electrostatic charge depending on the pH which may give thepossibility of solubilizing a protein of opposite charge. Within thescope of a chromatography method, when the products to be separated areproteins and that the immobilized organic phase contains such reversedmicelles, the pH of the mobile phase is adjusted so that these reversedmicelles solubilize a particular protein. After having separated theproteins of electrostatic charges substantially similar (as not beingsoluble in the reversed micelles), the solubilized protein in thereversed micelles may be eluted by changing the pH of the mobile phase.

In the case of the gas chromatography, the organic liquids which may beused for applying the invention will in particular be polysiloxanes,including methyl, benzyl, trifluoropropyl, cyanopropyl radicals etc.,polyethylene glycols, etc.

The organic gel is sufficiently permeable for allowing high diffusivityof the species of the mobile phase between the different neighboringconduits. Thus the efficiency of a chromatography method is therebyconsiderably increased by leveling the differences in behavior ofslightly different capillary conduits in diameter, in wall thickness,etc., by molecular diffusions between neighboring conduits.

According to an embodiment, in the mass of the organic gel or around theorganic gel a continuous network of connected pores is generated forthis purpose. These connected pores consist of mesopores, mesopores andmacropores, or macropores.

Advantageously, these pores belong to at least two independent networksof mesopores and macropores.

Preferably it is ensured that the porous volume of the packingcontaining the organic gel is greater than 20%, preferably greater than40% and still more preferentially greater than 60% of the total volumeof the packing excluding the volume of the conduits.

Advantageously although not exclusively, it is ensured that the organicgel contains macropores with a size greater than 50 nanometers. Thesemacropores give the possibility to the molecules of the solvent and tosome of them in the load to be rapidly diffuse into the organic gel.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention,the walls of the packing include a volume fraction free of organic gelor liquid and, if required, of stationary phase. This fraction gives thepossibility of being used as volume reserves towards swelling phenomenaundergone by the organic gel in contact with a solvent or solutes byreleasing the induced mechanical stresses and by ensuring the integrityand the dimensional permanency of the diameter of the conduits. Indeed,the swelling phenomena of the organic gel are absorbed andmacroscopically compensated with this empty volume in the internalvolume of the walls of the conduits and does not have any effect on thevolume provided for the flow of the mobile phase.

Advantageously, this empty volume fraction is accessible to thestationary phase.

Advantageously, this empty volume fraction represents more than 5% byvolume of the organic gel, preferentially more than 10% by volume of theorganic gel, and still more preferentially more than 25% by volume ofthe organic gel. This phenomenon is in a particularly advantageous wayused in a combination with a reinforcement of the organic gel with adimensionally stable structure.

Indeed, the dimensionally stable structure ensures constancy in thegeometrical dimensions of the packing and in particular of the diameterof the conduits, by supporting the mechanical stresses associated withthe swelling phenomena or of withdrawal of the organic gel during itscycles of use. These withdrawal and swelling phenomena are therebyentirely rejected towards the porous volume of the organic gel. Theincrease or the reduction in the volume of the organic gel related tosolvation differences are entirely reflected on a reduction or anincrease in its porous volume by keeping constant the dimensions of itsmacroscopic envelope and in particular the diameters of the conduits.

For this purpose, it is possible to deposit the organic gel as a thinlayer on a porous support.

This deposit may be achieved with any technique known to one skilled inthe art like soaking of the dimensionally stable structure in a solutionof the organic gel in a solvent, or in a solution of a precursor of theorganic gel. The drainage of the structure and the evaporation of thesolvent leave over the whole extent of the internal wall or specificsurface area of this structure a thin layer of organic gel or of aprecursor of the organic gel which may be polymerized or cross-linked insitu.

This thin layer of organic gel leaves free an empty porous volume oforganic gel.

Advantageously, this free porous volume is continuous and connected,i.e. its pores communicate with each other. This porous volumeaccessible to the mobile phase allows efficient diffusion of thedissolved molecules between adjacent conduits.

According to an embodiment, the organic gel is deposited as a thin layeron the backbone of a bimodal silica structure or of an organic monolith.Said thin layer has a micrometric or submicrometric thickness.

Said layer thin may be deposited in a sufficient amount for covering thebackbone of the monolith, but in an insufficient amount for filling thevolume of the macropores. In particular, it is deposited so as to retaina connected and continuous volume of macropores in the packing andbetween the conduits. Such a deposition may be carried out for exampleby filling the macropores and the mesopores with precursors of theorganic gel in the dissolved state in a volatile solvent and byevaporating the solvent uniformly before optional cross-linking of theorganic gel in situ.

The deposit may take place in the whole bulk of the structure or only ona portion of the latter. In particular, it may consist in a layer oforganic gel deposited on its surface as well as on the wall of theconduits.

In order to give a polymeric organic gel the required porosity, thepolymerization may be conducted in the presence of a pore-forming agentwhich is subsequently removed. This pore-forming agent may be a solventor a body removed subsequently by dissolution, evaporation or chemicaletching like a macromolecule or a silica or alumina gel. When this is asolvent, it will lead to the precipitation of the organic gel during itspolymerization. When this is a macromolecule, it may in particular beused for aggregating or coacervating together particles of polymericorganic gel.

The pore-forming agent may in particular be an organic solvent or water.For example it is possible to use organic solvents like alcohols,esters, ethers, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, di-, tri-,tetra-ethylene glycols, butanediols, glycerols, etc. Among heavypore-forming solvents, mention will be made of tetrahydronaphthalene,decahydronaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, paraffinic oils, stearic,oleic, palmitic acids, dialkyl phthalates, camphor and its esters,dodecanol-1, octanol-1, cyclohexanol or a mixture thereof.

The amount of pore-forming agent may vary between 10 and 90% andpreferentially between 20 and 60% by volume of the final mixturecomprising the monomers.

The pore-forming agent has an influence on the final distribution interms of pore sizes.

According to an embodiment, the dimensionally stable structure is boundto the polymeric organic gel through chemical bonds, notably covalentbonds. Advantageously, these covalent bonds are produced by grafting onthe surface of the dimensionally stable structure of a coupling agentable to react with the organic gel before, after or during itscross-linking or its polymerization. Said coupling agent may comprisevinyl, acrylic or methacrylic bonds for coupling to the vinyl, styrenicor acrylic gels. Advantageously, this coupling agent comprises alcoholgroups, and more advantageously ose or holoside molecules for couplingwith polyholosides such as dextran or agarose during theircross-linking. From among the coupling agents which may be used, mentionwill inter alia be made in a non-limiting way ofdodecyltrimethoxysilane, octadecyltrimethoxysilane,methyltrimethoxysilane, n-octyltriethoxysilane, n-octyltrimethoxysilane,n-propyltrimethoxysilane, n-propyltriethoxysilane,methyltriacetoxysilane, ethyltriacetoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane,vinyltri(2-methoxyethoxy)silane, 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane,3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropylmethyldimethoxysilane,3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane,2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, bis(trimethoxysilylpropyl)amine,3-ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane,3-glycidoxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane,3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane,3-methacryloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane,bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide,bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)disulfide, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane,3-mercaptopropylmethyldimethoxysilane,vinyltris(methylethylketoxime)silane, vinyloximinosilane,methyltris(methylethylketoxime)silane, methyloximinosilane,tetra(methylethylketoxime)silane, trifluoropropylmethyldimethoxylsilane,silanes containing epoxy bonds, etc.

As mentioned earlier, by “permeable to molecular diffusion”, is meantthat the conduits of the packing are bound with a continuous andconnected phase including at least one porous organic gel and/or anorganic liquid one the one hand and optionally a mobile phase on theother hand, and including a family of pores ensuring connectivitybetween said conduits.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the porous medium is greaterthan twice the molecular diameter of the species to be separated.

Advantageously, the continuous and connected phase binding the conduitsis a condensed phase.

Advantageously, the continuous and connected porous medium extendingbetween the walls does not have any material interruption.

The porosity of the material may be advantageously defined inchromatography in three ways:

-   -   1. The porosity of an organic gel may stem from the swelling of        a cross-linked gel in an organic, mineral or aqueous solvent, a        swelling advantageously representing more than 2% of its volume,        and preferentially more than 10% of its volume.    -   2. It may stem from a porosity of the gel in the non-solvated        state.    -   3. It may stem from the porosity of a support on which a        polymeric gel is deposited as a thin layer.

Within this definition of molecular permeability, it is meantadvantageously that under the conditions of the chromatography methodand for the species to be separated:

-   -   the average diffusion molar flow rate Phip on the one hand        between the adjacent conduits under the effect of a given        difference in concentration of the species to be separated        between the walls of said conduits    -   the average diffusion molar flow rate Phic on the other hand        between a conduit and the stationary phase which the packing        forms, under the effect of a same difference in concentration of        the species to be separated between the fluid conveying through        the conduits and the wall of said conduits are close to each        other.

By convention, it will be considered that the diffusion molar flow ratePhic between a conduit and the stationary phase formed by the packing ismeasured by imposing a uniform concentration at the wall Cs and bycalculating the exchange relatively to the average concentration Ce ofthe fluid flowing through the conduit. This is expressed by a Sherwoodnumber equal to 3.66 in the case of a tube with circular section throughwhich flows a fluid in laminar flow.

By close to each other, is in particular meant that said materialtransfer molar flow rate of the species to be separated between thewalls of the adjacent conduits is at least 0.01 times, advantageously atleast 0.1 times and even more advantageously at least 0.5 times the termof said molar flow rate related to the material transfer between theconduits and their stationary phase.

By average flow rate is meant that said flow rates are calculated for anaverage conduit diameter and an average wall thickness of the packing,said averages being arithmetic means.

This amounts to expressing in other terms that the term of conductancerelated to the material transfer between the adjacent conduits at theirwall is at least 0.01 times, advantageously at least 0.1 times and evenmore advantageously at least 0.5 times the term of conductance relatedto the transfer of material between the conduits and their stationaryphase.

Let us recall that

Sh=k*D/Diff

k is the material transfer coefficient, D is the diameter of theconduit, Diff is the diffusion coefficient.

The material transfer molar flow rate Phi per unit surface of the wallof the conduit is inferred therefrom:

Phic=k*(Cs−Ce)

Advantageously, this value is measured on the components of the mixtureto be separated under the conditions of the separation or of thechromatography method.

In order to determine the permittivity or the effective diffusivity ofan actual wall structure, and to calculate a molar diffusion flow ratePhip in the wall separating adjacent conduits, and the diffusion flowrate between a conduit and its wall containing the stationary phasePhic, we will resort preferably to a computer simulation including allthe morphological, geometrical and constitutive, physical andphysico-chemical details of said wall and of the packing. Softwarepackages like COMSOL multiphysics give the possibility of easilyachieving such performances.

The input data of such a simulation are essentially

-   -   the porous fractions filled with mobile phases in the wall, the        tortuosity and the average pore size and the pore size        distribution of these porous fractions as well as the molecular        diffusivities of the species to be separated measured in these        phases under the conditions of chromatographic separation. When        the latter are not available experimentally, it is possible to        estimate them by the method of Wilke and Chang.    -   the porous fractions filled with the organic gel or an organic        liquid stationary phase in the wall, as well as the molecular        diffusivities of the species to be separated measured in these        gels, if this is the case under the conditions of        chromatographic separation.    -   the geometry of the wall including details such as the position        and the dimensions of the areas filled with the organic gel, the        organic liquid and the mobile phase and optional dead areas or        filled with fluids or substrates other than the mobile phases,        the organic liquid and the organic gel, as well as the molecular        diffusivities of the species to be separated measured in the        latter under the conditions of chromatographic separation.    -   the partition coefficients of the species to be separated        between the different phases in presence in the encountered        range of concentrations during the chromatographic process.    -   the pressure drop applied to the packing and the composition of        the eluting fluid as well as its viscosity under the conditions        of chromatographic separation.

In a more approached way preliminary to a simulation, it is possible toapproach the diffusional flow rates with the following equations.

The following numerical quantities may be defined:

G _(wall) =K*D _(eff) /ep

G _(mobile)=3.66*Do/(Dh)

with K=C _(stat) /C _(mobile)

and Phic/Phip>G _(mobile) /G _(wall) is inferred therefrom,

wherein K is the partition coefficient of the relevant species betweenthe stationary phase considered as being defined by the whole volume ofthe wall, and the mobile phase, C_(stat) is the concentration of thespecies to be separated in the stationary phase (mol/m³), C_(mobile) isthe concentration of the species to be separated in the mobile phase(mol/m³) at thermodynamic equilibrium with the latter, Deff (m²/s) isthe effective diffusivity or diffusion coefficient in the material ofthe wall, ep(m) is the average thickness of the wall separating twoconduits, Do is the diffusion coefficient of the relevant species in thefree mobile phase, and Dh is the average hydraulic diameter of thecapillary conduit.

Also, as a preliminary to a simulation, this will advantageously amountto posing a condition on the ratio between the maximum number oftheoretical plates of a NETMax separation and the actually observednumber of theoretical plates at the efficiency optimum NET for acompound not retained on the actual material.

NETMax at the optimum efficiency may be taken to be equal to the formulagiven earlier in this text.

NETMax=1.6*L/(Dh+e*P)

Advantageously, NETMax is obtained by a computer simulation.

Advantageously, NET/NETMax is greater than 0.1, and even moreadvantageously greater than 0.5.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than twice the molecular diameter of the species to beseparated.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than 10 times the molecular diameter of the species to beseparated.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than twice and less than 1,000 times the molecular diameter ofthe species to be separated.

Advantageously, the size of the pores of the continuous medium isgreater than twice and less than 30 times the molecular diameter of thespecies to be separated.

In a condensed phase, the steric hindrance to diffusion caused by thepores is calculated by the formula (Deen, 1987):

C=K _(p) *K _(r)

With

K _(p)=(1−λ)²

And

K _(r)=1−2.104*λ+2.089*λ²−0.948*λ³

$\lambda = \frac{R_{h}}{r_{0}}$

R_(h) is the molecular radius of the molecule of a species to beseparated considered as a sphere and r₀ the radius of the pores(diameter of the pores do).

K_(p) is a factor taking into account a deviation of the concentrationat equilibrium between the pores and the infinite medium.

K_(r) takes into account the steric hindrances of the molecules to beseparated in the volume of the pores.

C is the reduction factor of diffusivity in a free medium to be appliedin order to obtain the diffusivity in the pores.

It is thus seen that the group C becomes less than 0.1 for a ratio 2 of0.5, corresponding to a pore size of less than twice the diameter of themolecule of the species to be separated. An order of magnitude is loston the effective diffusivity, which becomes prohibitively low, and theefficiency of the separation becomes poor.

The following table calculates the ratio C for different molecules anddifferent pore sizes.

In a gas phase, the diffusion becomes hindered when the diffusive flowenters a Knudsen flow. This occurs when the mean free path of themolecules becomes of the order of or greater than the diameter of thepores.

Advantageously, the packing has a population of connected pores, forwhich the diameter is greater than the mean free path of the moleculesto be separated under the conditions of the method.

The Knudsen diffusivity is written as:

$D_{KA} = {\frac{d_{Pore}}{3}*\sqrt{\frac{8*\kappa*N_{av}*{TK}}{\Pi*M_{A}}}}$

When the Knudsen diffusivity and the molecular diffusivity compete witheach other, it is possible to write as:

$\frac{1}{D_{Ae}} = {\frac{1}{D_{KA}} + \frac{1 - {\alpha*y_{A}}}{D_{AB}}}$With $\alpha = {1 + \frac{N_{B}}{N_{A}}}$

Generally, this formula is simplified by:

$\frac{1}{D_{Ae}} = {\frac{1}{D_{KA}} + \frac{1}{D_{AB}}}$

The coefficient C is inferred therefrom

$C = {\frac{D_{A\; e}}{D_{AB}} = \frac{D_{KA}}{D_{AB} + D_{KA}}}$

In these formulae it is noted that:

D_(KA): Knudsen diffusivity, m²/s

D_(AB): molecular diffusivity m²/s

D_(Ae): diffusivity under intermediate conditions m²/s

TK: absolute temperature, Kelvin

M_(A): molar mass of the component A, kg/mol

κ: Boltzmann constant, MKSA

N_(av): Avogadro number

d_(pore): diameter of the pores, m

In particular, water, hexane or methanol, in a liquid phase or in a gasphase at the saturating vapor pressure at 25° C. may be considered asstandard test species.

The term “effective diffusivity” designates the diffusivityexperimentally seen in a real material considered as a macroscopicassembly. The actual material consists of the material extending betweenthe conduits except for the latter, it comprises at least one porousorganic gel or an organic liquid (not porous) and a possible structuralmaterial. The diffusivity in the actual material is related:

-   -   to an optional porous volume of the latter into which the mobile        phase may penetrate and into the species to be separated may        diffuse, and    -   to the diffusivity in the organic gel itself.

The porosity of a cross-linked organic gel may stem from its swelling inan organic, mineral or aqueous solvent. This is for example the case ofcopolymers of styrene and of 2 to 8% of divinylbenzene.

It may also stem from a porosity of the gel in the non-solvated state.For example this is the case of copolymers of styrene and of 20 to 80%of divinylbenzene polymerized in the presence of a pore-forming solventlike an aliphatic alcohol including 8 to 12 carbon atoms in itsmolecule.

It may also stem from the porosity of a support on which a polymeric gelis deposited as a thin layer.

The effective diffusion is measured by imposing on either side a uniformthickness Eu and a representative material surface S of the actualmaterial of different concentrations C_(downstream) and C_(upstream) ofa molecule dissolved in the stationary phase, and by measuring thematerial flow c of this molecule through said thickness which resultsfrom this.

The diffusion coefficient D_(eff) is inferred therefrom according to theformula:

D _(eff) =Φ·Eu/((C _(upstream) −C _(downstream))·S)

The material exchange surface between a conduit and an adjacent conduitis advantageously greater than 2% of its periphery, more advantageouslygreater than 10% of its periphery, and even more advantageously greaterthan 20% of its periphery.

In practice, the conduits are advantageously bound through a continuumor a diffusive bridge in the condensed state.

In practice, the effective diffusivity of the species to be separated inthe walls of the packing is advantageously greater than one thousandthof their diffusion coefficient in the free mobile phase, moreadvantageously greater than a hundredth of their diffusion coefficientin the free mobile phase, and even more advantageously greater than onetenth of their diffusion coefficient in the free mobile phase.

In order to measure the effective diffusivity, the so-called conductivecell under stationary conditions method is preferably used. Anexhaustive description of this method will be found in [3]. Inparticular, the effective diffusivity will be measured after completeequilibration of the stationary phase contained in the cell and of thespecies on which the measurement is carried out. In the case of theaffinity chromatography, this generally amounts to carrying out themeasurement on a stationary phase saturated with adsorbate.

In practice, it is ensured that the effective diffusivity of the solutesthrough the walls of the conduits is advantageously maintained above1e⁻¹² m²/s in liquid phase chromatography, above 1e⁻¹⁰ m²/s insupercritical phase chromatography, and above 1e⁻¹⁰ m²/s in gaschromatography.

The diffusion of the species of the mobile phase into the walls of thepacking may be achieved in two ways at least, i.e. by diffusion into thebulk of the gel or organic liquid or by diffusion outside the organicgel, in its porosity.

Such diffusivity may be obtained by a combination of a porous volume, ofa cross-linking level of the organic gel, of the elution solvent and ofthe operating temperature according to the knowledge of one skilled inthe art and the available data.

The organic gel permeable to molecular diffusion used in the presentinvention may also be defined by the fact that its permittivity towardsspecies to be separated is greater than 5,000 Barrer.

The Barrer is a permittivity unit defined in (cm³ of diffusing solute,as a perfect gas under standard conditions .cm)/(cm² s cm Hg):

1 Barrer=10⁻¹⁰(cm³ O₂ cm)/(cm² s cm Hg)

The table below indicates the permittivities of common organic polymerstowards oxygen and water.

O₂ H₂O permittivity, permittivity, Polymer Trade name Barrer BarrerPoly(isoprene) Natural rubber 23.3 2290 PolyChloroprene Neoprene G 4.0910 Poly(vinyl chloride) PVC (non- 0.045 275 plasticized)Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) Teflon 4.2 4.8 Low density poly(ethylene) LDPE2.2 68 Poly(propylene) PP 1.2 35 Poly(methyl methacrylate) Plexiglas 1.23200 Poly(carbonate) Lexan 1.4 1400 Unsaturated polyester Polyester 750Cellulose Cellulose 18900

Indicatively, the diffusivity of water is only significant for materialshaving a permittivity above 5,000 Barrer (polyisoprene, Plexiglas) andpreferably greater than 25,000 Barrer (cellulose). On the other hand, amaterial such as the unsaturated polyester has a permittivity comparablewith that of polyethylene and of polycarbonate, which are materialsrecognized as leak-proof and non-porous since they are used for makingimpermeable containers or walls.

Advantageously, the permittivity of the organic gel towards species tobe separated is greater than 10⁵ Barrer, and still even more preferredgreater than 10⁶ Barrer.

In order to measure the permittivity of the organic gel, the assemblydescribed in reference between [1] will be used.

The packing may comprise as an organic gel permeable to moleculardiffusion, a gel mainly consisting of organic chemical species andtherefore mainly consisting of carbon and of species usually bound tocarbon within the scope of organic chemistry. In particular, it willmainly consist of an association of a backbone of carbon atoms and ofhydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine,bromine, iodine atoms. Mention will be made of hydrocarbon,halogenocarbon, hydroxycarbon, oxycarbon, sulfocarbon, phosphorocarbon,nitrocarbon, etc. species of natural or artificial origin.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, this gel may consistof organometallic species. From among the atoms which may be used assuch in the present invention as taking part in the organic gelmolecules, mention may mainly be made of silicon, tin, lead, boron,aluminum, gallium, indium, zinc, beryllium, magnesium, titanium,zirconium, arsenic, antimony, selenium, etc.

In particular, the organic gel may comprise in its bulk products whichmay be obtained by co-condensation of orthosilicates and organosilanes.These silanes may include one, two or three Si—C or Si—R bonds. R may beany carbon radical, such as a propyl, butyl, octyl, octadecyl radical, aprimary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary amine, an alcohol, an organicacid, a reactive group, etc. . . . In a non-limiting way, one or severalmono-, bi- or tri-functional silanes may take part in the structure. Indocument [4] examples of such materials will be found and which may beused for carrying out the invention.

Said gel has, under the conditions of its use, sufficient permittivityfor allowing molecules or macromolecules to diffuse in it or in itsporous volume and of interacting selectively with it so as to achieve achromatographic process in less than a few hours, advantageously lessthan a few tens of minutes and advantageously less than a few minutes.By “conditions of its use”, is essentially meant temperature conditionsand the use of gas, liquid or supercritical mobile phases giving thepossibility of benefiting from its permittivity by allowing species(molecules or macromolecules) present in the mobile phase of diffusingin the bulk or the porous volume of said gel and of interactingselectively with it.

Within the context of the present invention, an organic gel is anessentially macroscopic notion. Said gel is an integral material whichmay exist and be handled independently of its optional support.

This distinguishes it fundamentally from layers of a molecular thicknessresulting from a grafting of silanes on a surface for example which donot exist independently of their support.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this organic gelconsists of an organic polymer.

Advantageously, the molecular weight of this polymer is greater than1,000 g/mol.

According to an embodiment, the organic gel is a copolymer of styreneand of divinylbenzene.

The copolymers of styrene and of divinylbenzene have high diffusivityand permeability towards molecules dissolved in a solvent. In order toincrease this diffusivity, the styrene level is reduced. This reductionhas the effect of making the polymer mechanically more fragile. However,because of the low pressure drop of a multicapillary packing, themechanical forces on the polymer are less significant than for a packingwithout any conduits, which gives the possibility of reducing thestyrene level without degrading the mechanical strength of the packingrelatively to known packings without any capillary conduits.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the weight level ofdivinylbenzene in the styrene is less than 20%, advantageously less than8%, and even more advantageously less than 2%. The porosity of such gelsis developed by swelling with an elution solvent. They are used inparticular in steric exclusion chromatography.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the weight level ofdivinylbenzene in the styrene is greater than 20%, advantageouslygreater than 40%, and the polymerization is conducted in the presence ofa pore-forming agent like a solvent of the monomers in which the polymeris insoluble. The porosity of such gels is inherent to their structurein the dry condition.

Mention may also be made in a non-limiting way as able to be used forcarrying out the invention and as constitutive materials of the packing,gels of polyvinyl alcohol, of polymethyl methacrylate, ofpolyhydroxymethyl methacrylate, of polyacrylamide, of hydroxyethylmethacrylate copolymerized with glycidyl dimethacrylate (GMA-EDMA), etc.

The polyacrylamides advantageously consist of copolymers of acrylamideand of N, N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide.

Mention may also be made of cellulose (a polyholoside) and itsderivatives, notably carboxymethyl celluloses and diethylaminoethylcelluloses for ion exchange chromatography.

It is also possible to use polyholoside organic gels known in the stateof the art using organic macromolecules like cross-linked dextrans, forexample with N,N-methylene-diacrylamides or epichlorhydrins. These gelsare in particular known under the trade names Sephacryl™ and Sephadex™,products from GE Healthcare Corporation.

It is also possible to use other polyholoside organic gels using organicmacromolecules like cross-linked agaroses, for example withepichlorhydrins. These gels are in particular known under the tradenames of Sepharose™ and Superdex™, Superose™, products from the GEHealthcare Corporation.

It is also possible to use other organic gels using artificialmacromolecules like vinyl polymers containing many hydroxyl groups.These gels are in particular known under the trade name of ToyoPearl™,products from the Tosoh group.

In particular, these organic gels may be produced starting with mixturesof monofunctional monomers and multifunctional monomers. Themultifunctional monomers cross-link the obtained polymer.

These organic gels may be prepared starting with mono-, di- andmulti-functional monomers known in the state of the art. The latter maybe monomers containing epoxy, vinyl or hydroxyl siloxane radicals. Thesemay be styrene and its derivatives containing hydroxyl, halogen, amino,sulfonic, carboxylic, NO₂ groups, C4, C8, C12, C18 alkyl chains etc. . .. . These monomers may be acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides,methacrylamides, vinylpyrollidones, vinylacetates, acrylic acid,methacrylic acid, vinyl sulfonic acids. The siloxanes may include ahydroxyl group, vinyl, alkyl groups, etc . . . .

In particular, these monomers may be chloromethyl styrene,4-acetoxystyrene, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl, lauryl,triphenylmethyl, pyridyl-2-diphenylmethyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,hexyl, lauryl, glycidyl methacrylate, AMPS,2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone, methyl 2-3-epoxypropyl methacrylate, etc.. . .

These functional groups may be provided before or after thepolymerization.

The monofunctional monomer level may vary between 2% and 98% by weightof the total monomers.

Advantageously, it is comprised between 2% and 40% by weight of thetotal monomers.

The bi- or multi-functional monomers may be monomers based on benzene,naphthalene, pyridine, alkyl ethylene, glycol, etc. including two orseveral functional vinyl or epoxy groups. Examples of these componentsare divinyl benzenes, divinyl naphthalenes, alkoyl diacrylates anddimethacrylates, diacrylamides, and dimethylacrylamides, divinylpyridines, dimethacrylates or diacrylates of ethylene glycol,polyethylene glycol, trimethylolpropane di- or tri-methacrylate, 1,3butanedioldiacrylate, pentaerythritol di-, tri- or tetra-methacrylatesor acrylates, or mixture thereof. Di-, tri- or tetra-hydroxylatedsiloxanes often generated starting with alkoxysilanes may be used.

The bi- or multi-functional monomer level may vary between 100% and 2%by weight of total monomers.

Advantageously, said level is comprised between 98% and 60% by weight ofthe total monomers.

The initiators used for polymerization comprise all those comprised inthe state of the art, such as azo compounds and peroxides. Typicalexamples are azobisisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, the typicalamount of initiator generally varies from 0.4 to 2% by weight based onthe weight of the monomers.

In the case of siloxanes, acid hydrolysis is preferred.

Advantageously, these mixtures are polymerized in the presence of apore-forming agent removed subsequently like an organic solvent or anon-reactive polymer. These pore-forming agents were mentioned earlier.Mention will in particular be made of dodecanol-1 and cyclohexanol-1.

The amount of pore-forming agent may vary between 10 and 90% andpreferentially between 20 and 60% by volume of the final mixturecomprising the monomers.

Polymerization under X-rays or gamma rays may be used for thehomogeneous manufacturing of parts with a large size.

Advantageously, these organic gels may be treated at their surface so asto functionalize them by grafting like for example with silanes. It ispossible to provide them with sulfonated groups (sulfonation),quaternary ammoniums, octadecyl, octyl, butyl, phenyl, amine, diethylamino, ethyl, sulfopropyl, carboxymethyl radicals, hydrophilic polymers,alpha, beta, gamma cyclodextrins, either methylated or not,L-amino-acids or D-amino-acids, proteins etc. . . .

On gels including aromatic rings, it is possible to usefunctionalization reactions such as chloromethylation, amination,nitration, sulfonation, Friedel Crafts alkylation and acylation, etc. .. .

Advantageously, the organic gels which may be used for ion exchangechromatography or complexation chromatography comprise aminodiacetate,phosphonate, amidoxime, amidophosphonate, thiol, sulfonate, primary,secondary, or tertiary, or quaternary amine, carboxylic and pyridyls,etc. . . . radicals.

Advantageously, the organic gels which may be used for chromatography ofelectron donors, acceptor complexes comprise nitro- or chloro-aromaticradicals, or phenoxy, pyrene, quinazoline-2 radicals, likedinitro-2-4-aminopropyl, trinitro-2,4,6-anilinopropyl,tetranitro-2,4,7-fluorenoiminopropyl, tetrachlorophtalimidopropyl,nitro-3-naphthalimido-1,8-propyl, naphthalenetetracarboxy-1,4,5,8-diimidopropyl, pyromellidiimidopropyl,pentafluorobenzamidopropyl, caffein, phenoxy, quinazoline-2,quinolinol,-8,2,2,2-trifluoro-1(10-methyl-9-anthryl)ethanol,pyrenepropyl etc. . . .

Advantageously, the organic gels which may be used for ligand exchangechromatography comprises the bis-dithiocarbamate, cyclam, oxine,dialkyldithiocarbamate radicals, etc.

Advantageously, the organic gels which may be used for the separation ofchiral molecules comprise chiral selectors generally selected from amonggroups of the Pirkle type, cyclodextrins and crown-ethers, natural andsynthetic polymers, proteins.

From among the groups of the Pirkle type mention may be made inter aliaof:

-   R or S (dinitro-3,5) benzoyl)phenylglycine-   R or S N-(dinitro-3,5-benzoyl)tyrosine n-butylamide-   S—N-(dinitro-3,5 benzoyl)tyrosine(naphthyl-1)-1ethylamide-   R or S-(dinitro-3,5 benzoyl)phenylglycine-   S-(dinitro-3,5-benzoyl)leucine-   S-(dinitro-3,5-benzoyl)phenylalanine-   R or S naphthylamine-   R α-methylbenzylurea-   S α-(naphthyl-1)ethylamine.-   Mention will also be made of the derivatives of the following    products:-   R-phenylglycine and S-(chloro-4-phenyl)-4-isovaleric acid-   R-phenylglycine and 1-R, 3-R,-chrysanthemic acid-   Dinitro-3,5-benzoyl and R or S naphthyl-1 glycine-   Tert-butylamine and S valine-   Dinitro-3,5-aniline and S valine-   Dinitro-3,5-aniline and S-tert-leucine-   S-(α-naphthyl)-1 ethylamine and S-valine-   R-(α-naphthyl)-1 ethylamine and S-valine-   R-phenylglycine and R-(α-naphthyl)-1-ethylamine-   R-phenylglycine and S-(αnaphthyl)-1-ethylamine-   S-proline and R-(α-naphthyl)-1-ethylamine-   S-proline and S-(α-naphthyl)-1-ethylamine-   S-tert-leucine and R-(α-naphthyl)-1-ethylamine-   S-tert-leucine and S-(α-naphthyl)-1-ethylamine-   Tartaric acid and dinitrobenzylphenyl-ethylamine-   From among the ligand exchangers mention will inter alia be made of:-   Proline, hydroxyproline, valine, etc. . . .-   Carboxymethylamino-2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanol-   From among cyclodextrins and crown-ethers, mention will inter alia    be made of:-   crown-ethers and derivatives-   α, β, γcyclodextrins-   acetylated α, β, γcyclodextrins-   derivatives of βcyclodextrins (S-hydroxypropyl)-   derivatives of βcyclodextrins (racemic hydroxypropyl)-   derivatives of βcyclodextrins (S or R (α-naphthyl)-1-ethylcarbamate)-   derivatives of βcyclodextrins (racemic(α-naphthyl)-1-ethylcarbamate)-   derivatives of βcyclodextrins (dimethyl-3,5-phenylcarbamate)-   derivatives of βcyclodextrins (para toluyl)

From among the natural polymers, mention will inter alia be made of:

-   triacetylated microcrystalline cellulose-   cellulose triacetate-   Cellulose tribenzoate-   Cellulose triphenylcarbamate-   Cellulose tri-(dimethyl-3,5-phenyl)carbamate-   Cellulose tri-4-chlorophenylcarbamate-   Cellulose tri-4-methylphenylcarbamate-   Cellulose tri-4-methylbenzoate-   Cellulose tricinnamate-   Amylose tri-(phenylethylamine)carbamate-   Amylose tri-(dimethyl-3,5-phenyl)carbamate-   From among synthetic polymers, mention will inter alia be made of:-   Poly(N-acryloyl-1-phenylalanine ethylester)-   Poly(triphenyl methylmethacrylate)-   Poly(pyridyl-2-diphenyl-methylmethacrylate)-   From among proteins, mention will be made inter alia of:-   Bovine serum albumin (BSA)-   α-glycoproteic acid-   Human serum albumin-   Ovomucoid.

A list of these groups will be found in reference [2] p. 574 and 575.

These organic gels may be used for carrying out affinity chromatography.Affinity chromatography separates biochemical molecules based on highlyspecific interactions such as antigen-antibody, enzyme-substrate, orreceptor-ligand.

Contacting is achieved by circulation of the mobile phase throughconduits of the packing, allowing binding of the target molecules on theorganic gel.

The bound compounds are eluted by a change of pH, of pl, of saltconcentration, of charge or of ionic force in general. This proceedswith a step (slot) or with an elution gradient for recovering themolecules of interest.

Different forms of affinity chromatography are usually considered: byimmunoaffinity, by immobilized metal ions, by recombinant proteins, bylectins (see in particular the article of Wikipedia on this technology).

In particular, by immunoaffinity, proteins on a substrate such asagarose are coupled covalently, and they are used for purifying theirantibodies.

In particular, with immobilized metal ions, metal ions such as Cu, Ni,Co are coupled with a substrate such as agarose for purifying proteinsor peptides containing histidine. Metal ions such as Fe, Zn, Ga arecoupled with a substrate such as agarose for purifying phosphorylatedproteins or peptides. The elution is accomplished by changing pH or bysolutions of competitors such as imidazole.

In particular, by recombinant proteins, the proteins are marked, so asto be able to select them, with markers such as glutathione Stransferase (GST, hexahistidine (Hs), Maltose (MSP). Histidine has highaffinity for Ni or Co by coordination or covalency. The elution isaccomplished with solutions containing an excess of solute capable ofbinding to the immobilizing metal, such as imidazole, or for example anexcess of glutathione.

In particular, by affinity for lectins, the marking of the moleculesgives them the possibility of selectively binding to carbohydrates.Ligands such as conconovaline A bind to the glucose chains ofglycoproteins and give the possibility of isolating them.

Packings containing organic gels according to the invention lendthemselves to separations by affinity.

As these gels are characterized by a high volume unit cost, it isadvantageous to reduce the immobilized volume thereof for a givenproduction.

Advantageously, the packings for affinity chromatography have a lowvolume of conduits towards the total volume of the packing, preferablyless than 40%, more preferentially less than 20% and even morepreferentially less than 10% of the total volume of the packing.

Advantageously, the distance between neighboring conduits is less than0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.25 mm, and still preferably less than 0.1mm, in order to ensure sufficient rapidity of the diffusional processes.The propagation front of the retained molecule is thus more steep andsmall lengths of column may be used, thereby reducing further the volumeof the packing.

Advantageously, the organic gel represents a high volume of the volumeof the relevant excluding the volume of the conduits, advantageouslygreater than 40%, more preferentially greater than 60% thereof.

Advantageously, these packings are used for affinity chromatography inradial or axial continuous annular chromatography devices. The amount ofstationary phase required for a given production is therefore reduced toa minimum by reducing without any costly devices by means of instrumentsoperating under low pressure, the amount of immobilized stationary phaseby short cycle times.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a porous polymeric organicgel may comprise in its porosity a third party solid body.Advantageously in this case, the packing including the polymeric organicgel and intended to be used as a support for a third party solid bodywill have connected pores with a large size, greater than 50 nm,preferably greater than 200 nm, and even more preferentially greaterthan 500 nm.

Advantageously, the packing including the polymeric organic gel andintended to be used as a support for a third party solid body has aspecific surface area of less than 20 m²/g.

Advantageously this third party solid body is a stationary phase forchromatography.

Advantageously this third party solid body may be any of the stationaryphases listed earlier.

Advantageously this third party solid body may be a mineral ororganometallic stationary phase. Among the latter, one may designate ina non-limiting way oxides of silicon, alumina, titanium, zirconium.

Advantageously, this third party solid body may be silica with a highspecific surface area for chromatography.

In a more general way, the invention relates, in the field of liquidphase chromatography to:

-   -   liquid-liquid partition chromatography,    -   partition chromatography on grafted stationary phases and        non-ionic polymers,    -   ion exchange chromatography,    -   ionic chromatography,    -   ion pair chromatography,    -   ligand exchange chromatography,    -   chromatography with electron donor-acceptor complexes,    -   steric exclusion chromatography,    -   all the alternatives of affinity chromatography.

Advantageously, the injection of the mobile phase is accomplishedthrough a filter for which the cut-off diameter is less than thediameter of the conduits, and preferably ten times less than thediameter of the conduits.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a multicapillary packing 3 according to anembodiment of the invention in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axisof said packing.

In this embodiment, the packing is a porous monolith formed with anorganic gel 2 crossed by capillary conduits 1 wherein a fluid orsupercritical mobile phase crossing the packing 3 may freely circulate.By “monolith” is meant a porous material in one piece, comprising acontinuous backbone, which may be made in one or several materials.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the capillary conduits arestraight, parallel and spaced out regularly. The different conduits havemorphologies and diameters as identical as possible. Each conduitcrosses the packing right through, i.e. it advantageously has its endsopen on each side 4 and 5 of the packing, allowing circulation of thefluid from the inlet side 4 to the outlet side 5.

Such a packing may therefore be used in a chromatographic column.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the face 5 of the packing of FIG. 1 seen alongthe direction 6. The openings of the individual capillary conduits 1 aredistinguished in the bulk 2 of organic gel.

According to an alternative embodiment, in so far that the organic gelgenerally has a limited mechanical strength, the monolith comprises aporous backbone made in a dimensionally stable material and moreresistant than the organic gel, and the pores of said backbone arecovered with at least partly organic gel.

FIG. 3 thus illustrates a backbone 7 in a dimensionally stable material,for example obtained by sintering of a molded or extruded powderaccording to the shape of the packing, or obtained by a sol-gel orload-binder method. The organic gel 8 is deposited as a thin layer onthe surface of the backbone 7, and notably on the surface of the pores.The packing has a continuous network of macropores 9 allowing moleculesto rapidly diffuse in the whole thickness of the packing and betweenadjacent conduits.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the packing.

According to this embodiment, hollow fibers are juxtaposed along anoptimum stack as compact as possible. These hollow fibers consist of anempty core 101 in which flows the mobile phase and of a porous envelope100 retaining the organic gel or consisting of the organic gel. Thespace between the fibers 102 is either filled with the mobile phase orwith the gel or organic liquid.

Various methods for manufacturing a packing as described above will nowbe described.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, it is possible to coatwith an organic gel a multicapillary monolith obtained by extrusion andsintering. This monolith should be porous. It therefore has to beprepared and sintered under conditions allowing retention of asignificant porosity. However, the diameter of the conduits obtained bysuch an extrusion method, which is of the order of one millimeter, isgenerally too large as regards a chromatographic application.

According to an embodiment, in order to form a monolithic packing, amethod is applied comprising steps:

-   -   providing a bundle of threads called “precursors of the        conduits”, i.e. threads which are intended to be removed        subsequently for leaving their imprint as conduits.        Advantageously, the outer diameter of the threads is equal to        the inner diameter of the conduits,    -   forming a porous matrix around threads or conduits,    -   removing the threads so as to form said capillary conduits.

According to an embodiment, the matrix formed around the threads orconduits consist of a polymeric organic gel.

Alternatively, the matrix formed around the threads or conduits isloaded with an organic gel.

Optionally, the precursor threads of the conduits comprise an ablativelayer of a coating material removed during a first step for the removaltreatment of the threads. This ablative material may in particular be awax or a paraffin.

Commercial fibers of nylon, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, polyester,aramide, carbon fiber, metal, etc. may be used as precursor threads ofthese conduits with such constraints. Fibers are preferably used notcontaining any toxic metal salts in order to not pollute the finalstructure of the material.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the precursorthreads of the conduits, optionally coated with the ablative layer, arecoated with a spacer prior to the formation of the bundle so as toensure a minimum thickness of material between two adjacent conduits.

According to an embodiment, threads consisting of a hydrolyzable polymerare assembled as a bundle, the bundle being immersed in a precursorsolution of a porous organic gel, a solution for which gelling is causedaround the threads, and the threads are removed by hydrolysis intosoluble species with a low molecular weight by immersion of the packingin an acid or basic solution. Indeed, the highly inert nature of anorganic gel gives the possibility of putting it into contact withstrongly acid and strongly basic aqueous solutions. By “precursorsolution of an organic gel”, is meant a liquid with a composition suchthat, by its development under the conditions of the manufacturingmethod, it leads to an organic gel.

From among hydrolyzable polymers, mention may be made inter alia ofpolyesters derived from glycolic acid, from lactic acid, from cellulose,and in particular cellulose acetate, polyglycolic acid or its copolymerswith lactic acid, with ε-caprolactone or with trimethylene carbonate, aswell as polydioxanone. A polymer is preferably selected for which thehydrolysis is fast at a temperature from 80 to 100° C. in an acid orpreferably basic medium.

According to another embodiment, a multicapillary monolith is made ofsilica gel. The porous fraction external to the conduits of the monolithreceives the organic gel. The silica backbone is removed by dissolutionin an aqueous solution with a pH greater than 11.0. The silica gel inthis case plays the role of a pore-forming agent.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the threads consist of ametal or of an alloy of metals with a low melting point and are removedby melting and flowing out of the material.

Advantageously, a metal alloy is selected for which the meltingtemperature is less than the degradation temperature of the materialmaking up the organic gel. Preferably, metals are selected for which themelting point is less than 220° C., preferably less than 150° C., andeven more preferentially less than 100° C.

A significant use of these organic packings consists of producingseparations on molecules and liquids intended for human or animalconsumption. In particular this is drinkable water, drugs, foodadjuvants, etc. . . .

In such a scenario, all the elements and components of the packing haveto be compatible with strict sanitary constraints. In particular, it isimportant to avoid any pollution of the packing by toxic residues of themanufacturing process, and to avoid as far as possible the use ofmanufacturing intermediates which are toxic. The materials orconstituents of the precursor metal threads of the conduits belong tothese intermediates.

Indeed, residues of these metals may subsist in the packing and pollutethe species which will be treated therein, or be distributed in natureafter its destruction.

From among metals with a low melting point appear essentially lead, tin,bismuth, gallium, mercury, silver, cadmium and indium. As lead, cadmiumand mercury are noxious heavy metals and harmful to human and animalhealth and to the environment, alloys are preferably selected notcontaining these elements and based on tin, bismuth, indium, gallium,silver or any association thereof with each other or with other lessmeltable metals.

In particular, this may be a mixture of bismuth and tin. In particular,there exists a eutectic mixture of these metals including 58% by weightof bismuth, 42% by weight of tin, and melting at 138° C.

Alternatively, these may be metal alloys based on indium. From amongthese indium alloys, an alloy with 52% indium and with 48% tin byweight, melting at 118° C. will preferably be used. It is also possibleto use a 32.5% bismuth, 51% indium and 16.5% tin alloy by weight,melting at 60° C.

The matrix may be created by a load-binder method. Advantageously inthis case, it may be created starting from a mixture containing a thirdparty solid body like a load with small grain size and a binder like asol, suspended in a liquid phase. This sol may be any organic or mineralsol, a silica, alumina, titanium, zirconium, natural or artificial latexsol, a sol of diverse polymers, colloids. For example will be noted

-   -   the sols of natural latex,    -   polystyrene lattices, and their functionalized derivatives        (amino, carboxy, etc. . . . )    -   lattices of copolymers of styrene with butadiene, acrylic acid,        and their functionalized derivatives,    -   sols of nitrile rubbers, etc. . . .    -   polymethylmethacrylate sols

This may also be a sol created in situ by a sol-gel process.

The binder may also be a colloid like albumin, dextran, gelatin,hydroxyethylated starches, etc. . . .

Advantageously, the binder will not penetrate into the pores of theload. This may be obtained for example by selecting a binder dividedinto particles with sizes greater than those of the pores.

In particular, the multicapillary packing support of the organic gel maybe generated a sol-gel process.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, this sol-gel processmay also be based on an aluminosilicate like a clay for example.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, this sol-gel processmay also be based on a zirconium oxide, a titanium oxide, a rare earthoxide like yttrium, cerium or lanthanum oxide, a boron oxide, an ironoxide, a magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium oxide, a germaniumoxide, a phosphorus oxide, a lithium oxide, a potassium or sodium oxide,a niobium or copper oxide. These compounds may be the basis of the gelor may be combined together so as to generate a multi-component gel.

Advantageously, as a basis of the gel, it is possible to use gels ofzirconium oxide or titanium oxide.

Advantageously, the sol-gel process leading to these mono- ormulti-component gels will be based on the hydrolysis of organometalliccompounds like alcoholates of the relevant metals, either alone or as amixture with other organometals and optionally with metal salts such asnitrates or chlorides.

Another method for producing the packing according to the inventioncomprises the use of bundles of hollow fibers with porous wallsimpregnated with an organic gel by soaking and then drained so as tofree the lumen of the fibers. It is thus possible to manufacturepackings of large dimensions.

Such a manufacturing method comprises the steps of:

-   -   providing of a compact bundle of hollow fibers,    -   including in the porous wall hollow fibers of an organic gel or        of its precursor polymerized in situ, so as to leave the lumen        open and free of the hollow fibers,    -   creating porous or liquid material diffusive bridges between the        hollow fibers.

By diffusive bridges, is meant a continuum of material permeable tomolecular diffusion extending between the fibers.

The compactness of the stack of hollow fibers gives the possibility ofreducing the molecular diffusion distances between the latter.

Material bonds between the hollow fibers advantageously make efficientdiffusive bridges between the conduits.

The hollow fibers are advantageously secured to each other so as toreinforce their mechanical cohesion and to handle them collectively. Inparticular, they may be woven in a composite fabric or stuck togethercontiguously as a sheet.

In particular, they may be stuck together continuously in order to forma monolith.

The binder may be the actual organic gel.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to immerse the volume outsidethe fibers at their periphery in an organic liquid.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to use as a binder fiberstogether, a resin other than the organic gel, a porous binding resin.

It is possible to combine this last method with a reinforcement by afabric of structural fibers.

According to another method for producing the packing according to theinvention, a molding of the organic gel is carried out in a structuredefining conduits.

Advantageously, this molding is carried out so as to obtain an organicgel film having a spacer as raised/recessed portions. The walls of theconduits may make up this spacer. The molding may be produced byembossing, extrusion, calendaring of a pre-existing film. This methodmay be carried out alone or on a reinforcement film or fabric.

The method may comprise the polymerization of the organic gel in situ inthe mold having the preform of the spacers, and then removal from themold.

Alternatively, the method comprises the molding of the molten organicgel or of its molten precursor in the mold and its solidification, andthen removal from the mold.

The film is then stacked or wound so as to obtain the final packing.

The spacers make the free passage for the fluid through the structure.

When a porous polymeric organic gel contains a third party solid body,it is possible to create said third party body by deposition by soakingof the multicapillary packing in a formulation containing the thirdparty body in suspension or a precursor of the third party body, or bothsimultaneously followed by draining and then drying of the gel.

In particular, the third party solid body may be created with aload-binder method. Advantageously in this case, it may be createdstarting from a mixture containing a third party solid body as a loadwith a small grain size consisting of a stationary phase for sizechromatography of particles, less than the size of the pores of thepolymeric organic gel and a binder like a sol, suspended in a liquidphase for impregnation of the porosity. This sol may be an organic ormineral sol, a silica sol, natural or artificial latex, a sol of diversepolymers, etc. . . . . This may also be a sol or a gel created in situby a sol-gel process.

In particular, the third party solid body may be created on the surfaceof the polymeric gel by impregnating it with a colloidal solutionoptionally followed by its gel, and its drying. In particular it will benoted as particularly suitable silica sols with a high specific surfacearea.

In particular, the third party solid body may be created at the surfaceof the polymeric gel with a sol-gel process.

Any sol-gel process may be used as described earlier in this memorandum.In particular, this may be a bimodal silica obtained by a sol-gelprocess.

Advantageously, this third party solid body is silica for chromatographywith high specific surface area bound by a silica sol.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate as seen from the top and as seen sectionally,respectively an organic gel 10 covered by conduits 11. This organic gelis as a sheet obtained by molding on a preform. It may be added onto anunderlying fabric 12 ensuring better mechanical strength. The organicgel may contain a reinforcing load. The sheets may be wound or stackedin order to produce any desired shape.

Advantageously, the organic gel or the third party body which itsupports is functionalized after creating the conduits.

By functionalization, is meant the provision of particular chemicalgroups giving reactivity or selectivity to the raw packing. Inparticular this is the providing of ion exchanger reactive groups,groups for treatment by silanes, polyholoside grafting groups, proteinsand chiral molecule grafting, etc.

The packing typically has a section greater than 20 cm², and preferablygreater than 100 cm².

The packing may have the shape of a disc or further of a column havingtwo planar, encapsulated sections in a contiguous envelope used as amechanical protection.

The seal of the junction between the packing and the envelope may beensured by an adhesive, a polymer or a plastic film, in particular athermoretractable film.

Advantageously, the packing may be directly created in said envelope.

A chromatographic process is generally characterized by the efficiencyof the packing expressed in a number of theoretical plates.

Advantageously, the packing has an efficiency of more than 1,000theoretical plates per packing meter, preferably more than 10,000theoretical plates per meter of packing and still more preferably morethan 100,000 theoretical plates per meter of packing.

FIG. 7 compares the efficiencies of a multicapillary packing towards achromatographic separation when the walls separating the capillaryconduits are porous or non-porous, obtained by computer simulation.

The axis of the abscissas represents the length of the packing expressedin micrometers.

The axis of the ordinates represents the efficiency of the packingexpressed as a number of theoretical plates (NPT).

The diameters of the conduits are distributed according to a Gauss law.

The curve (a) illustrates a packing consisting of conduits with arandomly variable diameter according to a Gaussian statistical lawaround an average of 10 μm with a standard deviation of 0.5 μm, fornon-porous walls.

The curve (a) shows the efficiency of such a packing for which the wallsare non-porous and for which the capillaries therefore behaveindependently of each other. This efficiency begins by increasing andthen levels out so as to tend towards a limit independent of the lengthof the packing. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the diameters ofthe capillaries are not uniform but distributed according to a randomGaussian law.

The curve (b) illustrates the same bundle with porous walls having 55%of porous volume, a wall thickness of 2 μm and a pore size ten timesgreater than the molecular diameter of the species to be separated.

The curve (b) therefore exhibits the efficiency of a packing of the samedimensions as the previous one but for which the walls of the conduitsare porous and wherein the adjacent capillary conduits communicate bymolecular diffusion. In this case, the efficiency no longer levels outbut increases proportionally to the length of the packing in spite ofthe Gaussian distribution of the diameters. The non-uniformity ofbehavior of these conduits is leveled by the molecular diffusion betweenthe latter.

This phenomenon is specifically relevant for a chromatography method,where high efficiencies are required. It will be noted that suchproperties are of secondary importance for an adsorption or catalysismethod, and useless for a filtration method.

FIGS. 8 and 9 describe diffusive flows, considered for defining theconcept of molecular permeability according to the invention.

FIG. 8 describes the molar diffusion flow rate between the adjacentconduits under the effect of a given concentration difference of thespecies to be separated between the walls of said conduits. The conduit13 is assumed to have a concentration profile dictated by thehydrodynamic conditions of the flow resulting in an averageconcentration Ce. The adjacent conduits are assume to have aconcentration Cs less than Ce here. The average molar diffusion flowrate Phip is formed by the sum of the flows (15, 15′, 15″, 15′″) leavingthe periphery of the conduit 13 and crossing the packing 14. The medium14 consists of a porous organic gel, of organic liquid and of mobilephase, and an optional porous support of the latter.

FIG. 9 describes the average diffusion molar flow rate Phic between aconduit and the stationary phase making up the packing, under the effectof a same concentration difference of the species to be separatedbetween the conduits and the wall of said conduits. The diffusion molarflow rate between a conduit 13 and the stationary phase formed by thepacking is measured through a peripheral area of the conduit delimitingthe empty capillary in which flows the fluid, under the effect of thesame concentration difference of the species to be separated. Theexchange is calculated on the basis of an average concentration Ce ofthe eluent flow rate in the conduit. The periphery of the conduit isassume to be at a concentration Cs. The diffusion molar flow rate isformed by the sum of the flows (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) passing from thecentral area of the conduit 13 to the packing 14.

The concentrations are expressed in mol/m³.

FIG. 12 illustrates a packing consisting of an organic gel comprising inits bulk the product of a co-condensation of orthosilicates and ofsilanes. These silanes may include one, two or three Si—C or Si—R bonds.The conduits are in this case anisotropic macropores, the direction orthe morphology of which promotes axial flow of the eluting phase in thepacking, and included in the latter. R may be any carbon radical, suchas a propyl, butyl, octyl, octadecyl radical, a primary, secondary,tertiary or quaternary amine, an alcohol, etc. . . . or in anon-limiting way one or several mono-, bi- or tri-functional silanesfrom among those mentioned earlier in this text in the list of couplingagents.

FIG. 13 represents a packing according to the invention consisting of anorganic or mineral porous mass 50 including organic particles ornanoparticles 51 dispersed in its pores.

FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional view along a direction parallel to itsmajor axis of an alternative of a packing for chromatography accordingto the invention wherein the conduits 61, 61′ are included in a porousmonolithic mass 63 and are stacked and juxtaposed. In this case, theconduits open in an ordered or random way into the material 62 permeableto the eluent. In order to view this structure, it may be consideredthat these conduits may have for precursor of the cut, stacked andjuxtaposed fibers directionally so as to give them an average directionparallel to the direction of flow of the fluid in the packing.Advantageously according to the invention, the conduits are ofhomogenous lengths and diameters and as parallel as possible.

The examples developed below describe different manufacturing methods ofa packing for applying a chromatographic process according to theinvention.

Example 1: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in an AnionExchanger

The starting material is a thread in a tin and bismuth alloy inproportions of 58%, 42% by weight respectively. It has a diameter of15/100 of a mm. The thread is covered by soaking with a thin layer of amixture of styrene, of 8% by weight of divinylbenzene by weight, 0.4% byweight of a polymerization activator (azobis isobutyronitrile) and of aglass powder milled to 10 μm (one volume of glass powder for one volumeof the solution). It is positioned for 24 hours at 70° C. undernitrogen. The thread is cut in rectilinear segments with a length of 200mm. They are then introduced as a bundle with a diameter of about 4 mmin a glass tube with a length of 160 mm and an inner diameter 4 mmprepared beforehand.

A mixture of styrene, of 8% by weight of divinylbenzene and 0.4% byweight of a polymerization activator (t-butyl hydroperoxide) is thencast into the tube through interstices between the thread segments so asto totally fill this empty space. The mixture is polymerized for 24hours at 120° C.

The thereby produced composite is released by sectioning the threadsegments on either side of the glass tube flushed with its ends,perpendicularly to said segments.

The composite is brought to 145° C. in an oven, until melting of thethread segments and the molten metal is removed by ultrasonic vibrationsand under the action of gravity and of circulation of pressurized air.

The thereby produced monolith is converted into a basic ion exchanger bysubjecting it to the action of a stream of a solution with 15% by weightof tin tetrachloride in chlorodimethyl ether at 0° C. for 6 hours. Thepacking is then washed with methanol and then with water and quaternizedby the action of a stream of an aqueous solution of 40% trimethylaminefor a period of ten hours. The packing is then washed until neutralityand the quaternary ammonium is converted into its hydroxylated form.

Example 2: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in a CationExchanger

A monolith with porous walls of alpha alumina with a length of 160 mmhaving 100 conduits of a diameter of 0.45 mm distributed according to asquare mesh with a side of 1.2 mm is produced by extrusion and sinteringof an alpha alumina powder with an elementary diameter of 20 μm.

A mixture of 49 g of styrene, 1 g of divinylbenzene, 200 mg of apolymerization activator (t-butyl hydroperoxide) and 150 ml of pentaneis then cast into the monolith so as to totally fill the porosity of thewall. The core of the conduits is drained from the liquid phase which itcontains. The monolith brought to 50° C. so as to evaporate the majorityof the pentane, and then shortly a vacuum is applied so as to enhancethis evaporation. The deposit of monomers and of activator therebydeposited as a liquid film covering the wall of the alumina grains ispolymerized for 24 hours at 120° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The thereby produced monolith is converted into an acid ion exchanger bysulfonation. The monolith is treated with a stream of concentratedsulfuric acid containing 0.1% by weight of silver carbonate at 100° C.for 3 hours. The sulfonated packing is then gradually treated with lessconcentrated sulfuric acid and finally with distilled water.

Example 3: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing Having Porosity

A mixture is prepared containing 8 g of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 32 gof divinylbenzene, 445 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile, 60 g of dodecanoland the mixture is degassed in nitrogen for 20 minutes.

This mixture is brought to 70° C. in 24 hours. The mixture polymerizes.

The thereby produced monolith A is washed by percolating THF for 30minutes and drying in the oven at 90° C.

The monolith A is milled under liquid nitrogen until the desireddiameter of the grains is obtained.

The porosity of these grains is filled with a paraffinic wax melting at80° C. by adding under hot conditions the molten wax into the powderwith stirring.

Example 4

A thread of a mixture of indium and tin in weight proportions 48, 52melting at 118° C., is produced with a diameter of 0.25 mm.

The thread is covered by adhesive bonding on its surface by means of anaqueous solution of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) of a monolayer of the grainsof the monolith A obtained in Example 3, milled to 50 μm. The thread iscut in rectilinear segments of a length of 12 cm and assembled in abundle with a diameter of about 4 mm in a glass tube with a length of100 mm and with an inner diameter of 4 mm prepared beforehand.

In parallel a mixture is prepared containing 8 g of hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 32 g of divinylbenzene, 445 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile,60 g of dodecanol and the mixture is degassed in nitrogen for 20minutes.

The bundle prepared earlier is filled with this mixture and brought to70° C. in 24 hours. The mixture polymerizes.

The thereby produced composite is released by severing the threadsegments on either side of the glass tube flushed with its ends,perpendicularly to said segments.

The composite is brought to 125° C. in an oven, until the threadsegments melt, and the molten metal is easily removed by applyingultrasonic vibrations by gravity and under a slight circulation ofpressurized air.

The thereby produced monolith is washed with a stream of n-octane at120° C. for 30 minutes, and then with THF (tetrahydrofurane) at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.

Example 5: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing Having Porosity

A mixture is prepared containing 8 g of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 32 gof divinylbenzene, 445 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile, 60 g of dodecanoland the mixture is degassed in nitrogen for 20 minutes.

This mixture is brought to 70° C. within 24 hours. The mixturepolymerizes.

The thereby produced monolith B is washed by percolating THF for 30minutes and drying in the oven at 90° C.

The monolith B is milled in liquid nitrogen until a grain diameter of 50μm is obtained.

The porosity of these grains is filled with paraffinic wax melting at80° C. by adding under hot conditions molten wax into the powder withstirring.

A polydioxanone thread is produced with a diameter of 0.25 mm.

The thread is covered by soaking and adhesive bonding by means of asolution of aqueous polyvinyl alcohol deposited beforehand of a thinlayer of grains of the milled monolith B to 50 μm. It is then cut intolengths of 120 mm and assembled in a bundle with a diameter of about 4mm in a glass tube with a length of 100 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mmprepared beforehand.

In parallel a mixture is prepared containing 8 g of hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 32 g of divinylbenzene, 890 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile,60 g of dodecanol and the mixture is degassed in nitrogen for 20minutes.

The bundle prepared earlier is filled with this mixture and brought to70° C. within 24 hours. The mixture polymerizes.

The thereby produced composite is released by severing the threadsegments on either side of the glass tube flushed with its ends,perpendicularly to said segments.

The thereby produced monolith is washed with a stream of n-octane at120° C. for 30 minutes, and then with THF (tetrahydrofurane) at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.

The polydioxanone threads are dissolved with soda N at 90° C. perlocatedthrough the packing for 1 hour, and then the packing is washed withdistilled water until neutrality and dried at 105° C.

The monolith is subjected in an oven to an extensive vacuum at 125° C.,until melting and volatilization of the wax residues and of the lightorganic materials.

Example 6: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in Cross-LinkedAgarose

A mixture is prepared containing 8 g of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 32 gof divinylbenzene, 445 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile, 60 g of dodecanoland the mixture is degassed in nitrogen for 20 minutes.

This mixture is brought to 70° C. within 24 hours. The mixturepolymerizes.

The thereby produced monolith C is washed by percolating THF for 30minutes and dried in the oven at 90° C.

The monolith C is milled in liquid nitrogen until a grain diameter of 50μm is obtained.

The porosity of these grains is filled with paraffinic wax melting at80° C. by adding under hot conditions molten wax into the powder withstirring.

A polydioxanone thread is produced with a diameter of 0.25 mm.

The thread is covered by soaking with a thin layer of grains of themonolith C milled to 50 μm. It is then cut into lengths of 120 mm andassembled into a bundle with a diameter of about 4 mm in a glass tubewith a length of 100 mm and an inter diameter of 4 mm preparedbeforehand.

In parallel, a mixture is prepared containing 8 g of hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 32 g of divinylbenzene, 445 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile,60 g of dodecanol and the mixture is degassed in nitrogen for 20minutes.

The bundle prepared earlier is filled with this mixture and brought to70° C. within 24 hours. The mixture polymerizes.

The thereby produced composite is released by severing the threadsegments on either side of the glass tube flushed with its ends,perpendicularly to said segments.

The thereby produced monolith is washed with a stream of n-octane at120° C. for 30 minutes, and then with THF (tetrahydrofurane) at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.

The polydioxanone thread are dissolved with soda N at 90° C. perlocatedthrough the packing for 1 hour, and then the packing is washed withdistilled water until neutrality and dried at 105° C.

The monolith is subjected in an oven to an extensive vacuum at 125° C.,until melting and volatilization of the wax residues and of thelightweight organic materials. One deciliter of agarose beads aredissolved in one deciliter of demineralized water at 95° C.

The porosity of the monolith is impregnated with this solution bysoaking and draining at 95° C. the core of the conduits and thencooling.

The occluded and gelled agarose is washed with distilled water.

One deciliter of NaOH solution 1 N containing 2 ml of epichlorohydrinand 0.5 g of NaBH₄ is prepared. The conduits of the monolith are filledwith this.

The assembly is brought to 60° C. for one hour.

The obtained cross-linked gel is washed with hot water until neutrality.

Example 7: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in Cross-LinkedAgarose

A monolith with porous walls of alpha alumina with a length of 300 mmhaving a 100 conduits of a diameter of 0.45 mm distributed according toa square mesh with a side of 1.2 mm is produced by extrusion andsintering of an alpha alumina powder with an elementary diameter of 20μm.

A deciliter of agarose beads are dissolved in a deciliter ofdemineralized water at 95° C.

The porosity of the monolith is impregnated with this solution bysoaking and draining at 95° C. the core of the conduits and thencooling.

The occluded and gelled agarose is washed with distilled water.

A deciliter of a solution of NaOH 1 N containing 1 ml of epichlorohydrinand 0.25 g of NaBH₄ is prepared. The conduits of the monolith are filledtherewith.

The assembly is brought to 60° C. for one hour.

The obtained cross-linked gel is washed with hot water until neutrality.

Example 8: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in Cross-LinkedAgarose

A monolith with porous walls in Pyrex glass with a length of 150 mmhaving a 100 conduits with a diameter of 0.45 mm distributed accordingto a square mesh with a side of 1.2 mm is produced by extrusion andsintering of a Pyrex glass powder with an elementary diameter of 20 μm.

A deciliter of agarose beads are dissolved in one deciliter ofdemineralized water at 95° C.

The porosity of the monolith is impregnated with this solution bysoaking and draining of the conduits at 95° C. and then cooling.

The occluded and gelled agarose is washed with distilled water.

One deciliter of a solution of NaOH 1 N containing 20 ml ofepichlorohydrin and 5 g of NaBH₄ is prepared. The conduits of themonolith are filled therewith.

The whole is brought to 60° C. for one hour.

The obtained cross-linked gel is washed with hot water until neutrality.

50 ml of NaOH 2N and 0.25 g of NaBH₄ are prepared. The monolith ispercolated with this solution, and is autoclaved at 120° C. for onehour.

The gel is washed with NaOH 1 N containing 0.5% of hot NaBH₄, and thencold.

The monolith is rapidly transferred into an ice bath buffered to pH 4 bymeans of a solution of acetic acid and of sodium acetate.

The monolith is washed by circulating hot distilled water, and thenfrozen.

Example 9: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in Cross-Linked andFunctionalized Agarose

A monolith with porous walls of alpha alumina with a length of 150 mmhaving 100 conduits with a diameter of 0.45 mm distributed according toa square mesh with a side of 1.2 mm, is produced by extrusion andsintering of an alpha alumina powder with an elementary diameter of 20μm.

One litre of agarose beads are dissolved in one litre of demineralizedwater at 95° C.

The porosity of the monolith is impregnated with this solution bysoaking and draining of the conduits at 95° C. and then cooling.

The occluded and gelled agarose is washed with distilled water.

A deciliter of a solution of NaOH 1 N containing 1 ml of epichlorohydrinand 0.25 g of NaBH₄ is prepared. The conduits of the monolith are filledtherewith.

The whole is brought to 60° C. for one hour.

The obtained cross-linked gel is washed with hot water until neutrality.

50 ml of NaOH 2N and 0.25 g of NaBH₄ are prepared. The monolith ispercolated with this solution, and is autoclaved at 120° C. for onehour.

The gel is washed with NaOH 1 N containing 0.5% of hot NaBH₄, and thencold.

The monolith is rapidly transferred into an ice bath buffered to pH 4 bymeans of a solution of acetic acid and of sodium acetate.

The monolith is washed by circulation of hot distilled water, and thenfrozen.

The monolith is freeze-dried and the dry gel is treated with 60 ml of amixture of pyridine and of acetic acid with equal volumes. Theacetylation is conducted by adding 4 ml of acetyl chloride at 60° C. for75 mins, by circulating the mixture through conduits.

The monolith is transferred into 100 ml of dry dioxane. 1 g of LiAlH₄are added to the medium, by circulating the mixture through theconduits. The temperature is slowly increased up to 80° C. andmaintained for 2 hours.

The reaction is stopped by adding ethyl acetate and then water.

The monolith is cooled in an ice bath. Hydrochloric acid 1M iscirculated through the conduits. The monolith is briefly washed with HCl0.1 M and then with water.

Deacetylation is conducted at 80° C. for 15 minutes with NaOH Mcontaining 0.1% of NaBH₄.

Example 10: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in a Polymeric Gelby Immersion of a Hollow Polypropylene Fiber

500 microporous fibers of polypropylene CELGARD x 30-240 with anexternal diameter of 300 μm and an internal diameter of 240 μm and witha length of 300 mm with the shape of a cylinder in a glass tube with aninner diameter of 8 mm are aligned contiguously.

A mixture containing 16 g of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 64 g ofdivinylbenzene, 890 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile, 120 g of dodecanol isprepared and it is degassed under nitrogen for 20 minutes.

The wall, the lumen and the interstices of the bundle of hollow fibersare impregnated with this mixture by immersion in vacuo and then settingit back to atmospheric pressure followed by draining of the lumen of thefibers.

The bundle is brought to 70° C. for 24 hours. The mixture polymerizes.

The mixture gells in the porous wall of the fibers under theseconditions.

The thereby made monolith is washed with THF for 30 minutes, and thendried under a dry air stream at 70° C.

Example 11: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in a Polymeric Gelby Molding

2 portions of polypropylene having an MI of 0.8 g/10 mins and one partand a half of tetrahydronaphthalene are mixed into a homogeneous mixtureat a temperature of about 160° C. and after cooling at 140° C. are mixedto a portion of styrene containing 8% by weight of divinylbenzene. 0.5%by weight of p-methoxyphenol is added to the mixture as a polymerizationinhibitor and 0.1% by weight of di-t-butyl hydroperoxide as apolymerization initiator. The mixing is continued for 5 mins. Themixture is then polymerized in a pressurized reactor at 180° C. for 8hours.

The resulting polymer is extruded into a sheet with a width of 50 mm anda thickness of 0.5 mm including 100 equidistant grooves with a width of0.4 mm and a depth of 0.4 mm.

The resulting sheet is cut into sheets with lengths of 250 mm. Thesolvent present in these sheets is extracted with boiling methanol.

100 sheets are then stacked according to their length in a square bundlemaking up a packing for chromatography.

Example 12: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing SupportingColloidal Silica

A monolith is obtained according to the procedure given in Example 5.

The porosity of the monolith is impregnated with a solution of silicasol Ludox SM30 with 30% of dry material by percolating this sol and thenby draining it out of the lumen of the fibers.

The silica sol is dried in situ by circulation of dry air at 80° C.

Example 13: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in Cellulose

A monolith with porous walls of alpha alumina with a length of 300 mmhaving 100 conduits with a diameter of 0.45 mm distributed according toa square mesh with a side of 1.2 mm is produced by extrusion andsintering of an alpha alumina powder with an elementary diameter of 20μm.

150 g of cellulose for chromatography on a thin layer (brand SigmaAldrich) are milled down to a particle diameter of 1 μm.

The obtained powder is gradually added to 50 ml of aqueous colloidalpolystyrene with a particle size of 0.35 μm with a weight concentrationof 5% (brand PolyScience Inc.) until a thick suspension is obtainedhaving a viscosity of about 1 Poiseuille.

The obtained suspension is cast into the monolith through the conduitsso as to fill the porosity of the walls, and the conduits are drained ofthe suspension which they contain.

The monolith is dried in the oven at 80° C.

Example 14: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing with an OrganicLiquid Stationary Phase

An organic monolith is prepared by the procedure shown in Example 5.

The packing is impregnated by immersion in cyclohexyl acetate followedby drainage of the lumen of the conduits.

Example 15: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing by Immersion of aHollow Polypropylene Fiber in an Organic Liquid

500 microporous fibers of polypropylene CELGARD X30-240 with an externaldiameter of 300 μm and an internal diameter of 240 μm and with a lengthof 300 mm in the form of a cylinder in a glass tube with an innerdiameter of 8 mm are contiguously aligned.

The wall, the lumen and the interstices of the bundle of hollow fibersbetween the fibers are impregnated with cyclohexyl acetate by totalimmersion in vacuo and then set back to atmospheric pressure followed bydraining of the lumen of the fibers.

The interstices between the individual fibers are filled with cyclohexylacetate.

Example 16: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing with an OrganicLiquid Stationary Phase

A monolith with porous walls of Pyrex glass with a length of 300 mmhaving a 100 conduits with a diameter of 0.45 mm distributed accordingto a square mesh with a side of 1.2 mm is produced by extrusion andsintering of a Pyrex glass powder with an elementary diameter of 20 μm.

The packing is immersed in hexamethyl disilazane and brought to 140° C.with pressure in a closed container so as to hydrophobicize the surfaceof the glass.

The packing is impregnated by immersion in cyclohexyl acetate followedby drainage of the lumen of the conduits.

Example 17: Manufacturing of a Multicapillary Packing in Sepharose

A monolith with porous walls of alpha alumina with a length of 300 mmhaving 100 conduits with a diameter of 0.45 mm distributed according toa square mesh with a side of 1.2 mm is produced by extrusion andsintering of an alpha alumina powder with an elementary diameter of 20μm.

150 g of Sepharose (GE HealthCare) are milled in liquid nitrogen down toa particle diameter of 1 μm. The obtained powder is gradually added to50 ml of aqueous colloidal polystyrene with a particle size of 0.80 μmand with a weight concentration of 5% (brand PolyScience Inc.) until athick suspension is obtained having a viscosity of about 1 Poiseuille.

The obtained suspension is cast in the monolith through the conduits soas to fill the porosity of the walls, and the conduits are drained ofthe suspension which they contain.

The monolith is dried in the oven at 80° C.

Exemplary Embodiment 18

A mixture containing 8 g of ethylstyrene, 32 g of divinylbenzene, 445 mgof azobisisobutyronitrile, 120 g of dodecanol is prepared and it isdegassed under nitrogen for 20 minutes.

This mixture is brought to 70° C. for 24 hours. The mixture polymerizes.

The thereby made monolith A is washed by percolating THF for 30 minutesand dried in the oven at 90° C.

The monolith A is milled under liquid nitrogen until a grain diameter of25 μm is obtained.

The porosity of these grains is filled with a paraffinic wax melting at80° C. by adding under hot conditions molten wax into the powder withstirring.

A polydioxanone thread is produced with a diameter of 0.05 mm.

The thread is covered by soaking and adhesive bonding by means of asolution of aqueous polyvinyl alcohol deposited beforehand with a thinlayer of grains of the monolith B milled to 25 μm. It is then cut intolengths of 120 mm and assembled into a bundle with a diameter of about 4mm in a glass tube with a length of 75 mm, with an external diameter of6.35 mm and with an inner diameter of 4 mm prepared beforehand.

In parallel, a mixture containing 8 g of ethylstyrene, 32 g ofdivinylbenzene, 890 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile, 120 g of dodecanol isprepared and it is degassed under nitrogen for 20 minutes.

The bundle prepared beforehand is filled with this mixture and broughtto 70° C. for 24 hours. The mixture polymerizes.

The thereby produced composite is released by severing the threadsegments on either side of the glass tube flushed with its ends,perpendicularly to said segments.

The thereby produced monolith is washed with a current of n-octane at120° C. for 30 minutes, and then with THF (tetrahydrofurane) at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.

The polydioxanone threads are dissolved with soda N at 90° C. perlocatedthrough the packing for 1 hour, and then the packing is washed withdistilled water until neutrality and dried at 105° C. The monolith isbrought into an oven in an extensive vacuum at 125° C., until meltingand volatilization of the wax residues and of the lightweight organicmaterials.

The thereby obtained monolith may be directly used for liquidchromatography of molecules with molecular weights from 500 g/mol to5,000 g/mol.

Exemplary Embodiment 19

A monolith is prepared following the procedure described in Example 18.

FIG. 31 represents a chromatogram produced with this monolith.

The conditions are the following:

-   -   Chromatograph Agilent 1100, UV detector with variable wavelength    -   Solvent A Water/Acetonitrile 95/5 (v/v)+0.1% of trifluoroacetic        acid    -   Solvent B Water/Acetonitrile 5/95 (v/v)+0.1% of trifluoroacetic        acid    -   Gradient Mode 1-65% B within 60 mins    -   Room T°    -   Flow rate: 0.012 ml/min    -   Detection wavelength: 235 nm        The separated species are angiotensin II (1) and the lysozyme        (2).

The axis of the abscissas is the time in mins, the axis of the ordinatesis the response of the detector.

Exemplary Embodiment 20

A preform of the channels of the monolith is made by producing a bundleconsisting of three families of nylon 66 threads with respectively 50,60 and 70 μm in diameter.

The bundle is made into a square bundle with 12 threads on the sidesdistributed according to a square mesh with a pitch of 120 μm, by meansof supporting device of the type shown in FIG. 30.

The threads of the three families are alternatively positioned insuccessive layers of 12 threads of the same diameter according to thesequence 50/60/70/60/50/60/70/6050/60/70/60.

The bundle is made with a length of 75 mm.

The bundle of needles is then inserted into a square housing with a sideof 1.5 mm and a length of 75 mm dug in a sheet of 20×10×75 mm ofstainless steel 316L, and with a planar lid in a sheet of 20×10×75 mm ofPTFE (Teflon brand deposited by DuPont de Nemours).

200 g of silica gel for chromatography with a pore size of 6 nm(SiliCycle) is milled down to an average particle diameter of about 3μm.

The powder is gradually suspended in 500 ml of a mixture of 200 ml ofsilica sol TM50 from Grace with 50% of dry material and a particle sizeof 20 nm and with 300 ml of demineralized water.

The bundle of nylon needles in the stainless steel housing isimpregnated with this mixture. The liquid should fill the totality ofthe bundle, which should be found immersed therein.

Both portions, stainless steel and Teflon are screwed against eachother.

The mixture is maintained at 90° C. under a humid saturated atmosphereuntil complete gelling of the sol.

The upper PTFE lid maintaining the bundle is extracted from the gel, theends of the gel are cleared, and the bundle in its stainless steelhousing is gradually brought with a rise in temperature of 5° C./min upto 95° C. in an oven. They are maintained for 5 hours at thistemperature.

The dry bundle in its stainless steel housing is gradually brought witha rise in temperature of 1° C./min up to 550° C. in an oven underatmospheric air. It is maintained for 5 hours at this temperature.

A lid manufactured in a sheet of 20×10×75 mm of stainless steel 316L isreplaced for closing the packing as a substitute for the PTFEhalf-shell.

The monolith is washed with deionized water perlocated through the freeconduits and dried at 105° C. for two hours.

The end pieces (FIGS. 22, 23) are attached (FIG. 24) on the column andthe whole is sealed with a film of two-component epoxy adhesive. Thecolumn is connected to the chromatograph.

A characterization of the silicic material of this monolith byadsorption with nitrogen shows a median diameter of the mesopores of 8nm and a porous volume fraction of 55%.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show chromatograms obtained by means of this monolith.

The conditions are the following:

-   -   Chromatograph Agilent 1100, detector with a diode array    -   Isocratic Mode    -   Solvent 100% Water    -   Room T°    -   Flow rate: 0.01 ml/min    -   Detection Wavelength: 235 nm

The axis of the abscissas is the time in mins, the axis of the ordinatesis the response of the detector.

FIG. 32: trace of acetic acid diluted to 0.1 N

FIG. 33: tracer of polystyrene latex microspheres (Applied PhysicsAP3100A) with a diameter of 100 nm, a solution with 1,000 ppm of drymaterial.

It is noted that the diffusion of the acetic acid between the channelsallows a chromatographic response as a single peak. On the contrary, thediameter of the polystyrene particles prevents the occurrence of thediffusive phenomena and each family of channels produces its own elutionpeak. It is no longer possible in the latter case to associate each peakwith a single species.

Exemplary Embodiment 21

A preform of the channels of the monolith is made by producing a bundleconsisting of polydioxanone threads with a diameter of 50 μm.

The bundle is made as a square bundle with 10 threads on sidesdistributed according to a square mesh of a pitch of 100 μm, by means ofa supporting device on the type of the one shown in FIGS. 27 to 29. Theperforated screen is produced by laser piercing of perforations of 55 μmin a sheet of stainless steel with a thickness of 150 μm.

The bundle is made with a length of 75 mm.

The needle bundle is then inserted into the bottom of a housing with awidth of 1.0 mm, with a depth of 2 mm and with a length of 75 mm dug ina sheet of 20×10×75 mm of stainless steel 316L (FIGS. 17 and 18). Aplanar lid is prepared in a sheet of 20×10×75 mm of stainless steel(FIGS. 19 and 20) is prepared.

In an Erlenmeyer flask with an eroded 25 ml neck, 7 g of polyethyleneglycol having a molecular weight of 200 g, 0.37 g of2,2,2-tri-(2,3-epoxypropyl)-isocyanurate and 1.6 g ofbis(4-aminocyclohexyl)methane with stirring is mixed until dissolutionon a heated magnetic stirrer.

After which, the mixture is injected into the housing of the precedingstainless steel base including the bundle of 50 μm threads and the lidis laid so as to define the channel of the monolith. The whole isbrought to 80° C. for 20 h in order to be polymerized.

The resulting bar is washed with water and methanol, and then set topercolate with soda N at 90° C. for 24 h until dissolution of thethreads.

After washing with water until neutrality, the packing is dried in anoven in vacuo.

The end pieces (FIGS. 22 23) are attached (FIG. 24) on the column andthe whole is sealed with a film of two-component epoxy adhesive. Thecolumn is connected to the chromatograph.

FIG. 34 illustrates a chromatogram produced with this monolith.

The conditions are the following:

-   -   Solvant Water/Acetonitrile 60/40 (100 ml/100 ml)+20 mM of        phosphate buffer at pH7    -   Room T°    -   Flow rate: 0.01 ml/min    -   Detection Wavelength: 210 nm        The separated species are uracil (1), benzene (2) and        hexylbenzene (3).

The axis of the abscissas is the time in mins, the axis of the ordinatesis the response of the detector.

FIGS. 17 to 24 represent views of the construction of a multicapillarychromatographic column.

FIGS. 17-18 and 19-20, respectively illustrate two elements forming thebody of the column, i.e. a lower block 90 and an upper block 91. Ahousing or a rectangular section channel 93 is dug in the lower block90. This housing receives and molds the monolith. Advantageously, thesynthesis of the monolith y is made therein. FIG. 17 is a side view ofthe part 90, FIG. 18 is a view thereof along its section. L representsthe length of the part. The part is provided with tapped perforationsallowing its assembling.

FIG. 19 is a view of the upper block 91 along its section, FIG. 20 is aside view thereof. The part 91 includes a male portion 94 intended to befitted into the channel 93.

FIG. 21 illustrates a sectional view of the fitted-in parts 90 and 91.Their fitting produces a free channel 95 in which is housed themonolith.

FIGS. 22 and 23 respectively illustrate in a profile view and in a frontview the end-piece part 92 of the column allowing it to be connected tothe fluids. The part 92 includes a tube 121 sealably welded oradhesively bonded giving the possibility of bringing or discharging themobile phase as far as the sintered filter 130 via an annular space 129.The filter is accommodated in an annular space 128. The perforations 127give the possibility of assembling the column.

FIG. 24 schematically illustrates the geometry of the final assembly ofthe elements 90, 91 and 92. The seal of the whole may be simply producedby covering it with a film of a two-component adhesive.

The table below explains, in an example, the dimensions illustrated inFIGS. 17-24.

Dimension Reference (mm) Comment 100 10 101 15 102 100 103 M3 Threading3 mm depth 7 mm 104 7 105 10 106 4 107 2 108 4 109 6 110 12 111 3 mmPerforation (diameter) 112 M3 Threading 3 mm depth 7 mm 114 1.98 115 2.0116 2.0 117 20 118 4 120 20 121 1.58 1/16 inch external diameter tubeinner diameter 0.25 mm 122 1.25 124 2.1 Diameter 125 3.2 Diameter 126 14127 3 Perforation (diameter) 129 0.3 Depth 130 1.0 Thickness of thesintered filter 131 2 132 4 133 20 134 12 135 14 136 0.25 Centeredchannel

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a method for assembling precursor threads 152of the conduits of a monolith. A sheet 150 is perforated with 151regular holes. Very thin piercings of the order of a few tens ofmicrometers may be produced by laser piercing in stainless steel sheet,in a brass or polymer sheet. The thread 152 is passed between theperforations of two symmetrical opposite plates 150 spaced apart by thelength L so as to produce a bundle of parallel threads. The threads maysubsequently be welded or adhered to the sheet 150 with a drop ofadhesive.

FIG. 27 schematically illustrates the assembly of the bundle of threads152 in the part 90. The bundle of threads 152 limited by the sheets 150is inserted under a slight tension at the bottom of the groove 93. Thesheets 150 achieve a temporary seal at both ends. The bundle may befilled with stationary phase, and subsequently pyrolyzed, dissolved,melted or removed by any suitable means.

FIG. 28 illustrates a perforated sheet 150 for which the holes aredistributed in layers with three different diameters 153, 154, 155. Itis thereby possible to obtain bundles for which threads with threedifferent diameters are positioned in alternating layers.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate chromatographic responses of a same column inthe cases when the eluted molecule is with a molecular diameter lessthan half of the diameter of the pores allowing diffusion between theadjacent conduits (curve in dotted lines), and in the case when itsmolecular diameter, greater than half the pore diameter, does not allowthis (curve in solid lines). The axis of the abscissas is time, the axisof the ordinates is the response of the detector.

In the case of FIG. 29, the column contains three families of conduitswith different diameters arranged in superposed layers. An example ofsuch a layout is illustrated as a section in FIG. 28.

It is ascertained that when diffusion takes place, a single peak (curvein dotted lines) results from the interaction of the three families ofconduits. When the diffusion is prevented, three peaks (curve in solidlines) are produced for a same compound, making the reading of thechromatogram impossible.

In the case of FIG. 30, the column contains conduits for which thediameters are randomly distributed according to a Gaussian law for whichthe standard deviation corresponds to 5% of the average diameter of theconduits.

It is ascertained that when diffusion takes place (curve in dottedlines) the number of theoretical plates of the column is 178. Whendiffusion is prevented (curve in solid lines), the number of theoreticalplates of the column is no longer only 50, which shows that the columnis considerably less performing.

REFERENCES

-   [1] “Water Diffusion and Permeability in Unsaturated Polyester Resin    Films Characterized by Measurement Performed with a Water-Specific    Permeameter: Analysis of the Transient Permeation”, S. Marais, M.    Métayer, M. Labbe, Journal of Polymer Science, December 1999, Vol.    74, Issue 14, pp. 3380-3396-   [2] Chromatographies en phases liquide et supercritique    (chromatographies in liquid and supercritical phases), R. Rosset, M.    Caudé, A. Jardy, MASSON 3^(th) edition, 1991-   [3] Measurement of the Effective Diffusivity in Porous Media by the    diffusion Cell Method. In-Soo Park, Duong D. Do, Catalysis Review:    Science and Engineering, 1996, Vol. 38, Issue 2 pp. 189-247-   [4] U.S. Pat. No. 8,404,346 B2

1. A chromatography method wherein a gas, liquid or supercritical mobilephase containing species to be separated is circulated through apacking, said packing comprising: a plurality of capillary conduitsextending in the packing between a so-called upstream face through whichthe mobile phase penetrates into the packing and a so-called downstreamface through which the mobile phase exits the packing, and a continuousmedium permeable to molecular diffusion extending between said conduits,including a porous organic gel or an organic liquid and including atleast a network of connected pores for which the size is greater thantwice the molecular diameter of at least one species to be separated andopen on the conduits, so as to provide to said at least one species adiffusive path between said conduits.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein the average molar flow rate of diffusion of the species to beseparated between the adjacent conduits under the effect of a givenconcentration difference of said species between the walls of saidconduits is greater than 0.01 times the average molar flow rate ofdiffusion of the species between a conduit and the stationary phasemaking up the packing under the effect of a same concentrationdifference of the species to be separated between the fluid conveyed bythe conduits and the wall of said conduits.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the permittivity of said continuous medium towardsspecies to be separated is greater than 5,000 Barrer, i.e. greater than5.10⁻⁷ (cm³ O₂ cm)/(cm² s cm Hg).
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein the diameter of the capillary conduits of the packing is lessthan or equal to 500 μm, preferably less than or equal to 150 μm andeven more preferably less than or equal to 50 μm.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said continuous medium is formed with anorganic gel, said organic gel being selected from among: (a) a copolymerof styrene and of divinylbenzene, (b) polymethyl methacrylate, (c) acopolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and of divinylbenzene.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said continuous medium is formedwith an organic gel, said organic gel being a polyholoside.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said continuous medium is formedwith an organic liquid extending in said network of connected pores,said organic liquid being selected from among: (a) an aliphatic oraromatic hydrocarbon, (b) an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol, (c) analiphatic or aromatic ketone, (d) an aliphatic or aromatic amine, (e) ahalogenated organic compound.
 8. The method according to claim 1,wherein the packing comprises a monolith of an organic gel permeable tomolecular diffusion through which extends said capillary conduits, saidnetwork of connected pores extending within said organic gel.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the packing comprises a monolith ofa chemically inert porous material containing said network of connectedpores, said pores being filled with said organic gel or with saidorganic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the packing comprises a monolith of achemically inert porous material containing said continuous network ofpores, the surface of said pores being covered with the organic gelpermeable to molecular diffusion over a selected thickness so as toleave, in said network of pores, a free space for diffusion of themobile phase, said organic gel forming a continuous network of poresbetween the conduits.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein thechemically inert material of said monolith is selected from silica,alumina, or a combination of silica and alumina.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the packing comprises a stack of porousfibers each comprising a lumen forming a capillary conduit of thepacking and a wall comprising a network of connected pores, said fibersbeing made contiguous with the porous organic gel or the organic liquidpermeable to molecular diffusion.
 13. The method according to claim 12,wherein the wall of each fiber is formed with said organic gel permeableto molecular diffusion.
 14. The method according to claim 12, whereinthe pores of the wall of each fiber are filled with said gel or withsaid organic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the surface of the pores of the wall ofeach fiber is covered with the organic gel permeable to moleculardiffusion over a selected thickness so as to leave, in said network ofpores, a free space for diffusion of the mobile phase, said organic gelforming a continuous network of pores inside said wall.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the organic gel permeable to moleculardiffusion forms the chromatographic stationary phase.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the organic gel has pores containing athird party solid body forming the chromatographic stationary phase. 18.A method for manufacturing a packing for applying the chromatographymethod according to claim 8, comprising the following steps: providing abundle of so-called precursor threads of the capillary conduits, forminga porous matrix around the threads or the conduits, so as to form amonolith, removal of the threads so as to form said capillary conduits.19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the matrix is an organicgel.
 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the matrix comprisesa chemically inert material and said matrix is loaded with an organicgel.
 21. The manufacturing method according to claim 19, wherein theprecursor threads of the capillary conduits are threads meltable at atemperature less than the degradation temperature of the matrix and theremoval of said threads comprises the melting and draining of saidthreads out of the packing.
 22. The method according to claim 21,wherein the meltable threads comprise indium, bismuth, tin, gallium,silver or one of their alloys with other metals excluding lead, mercuryand cadmium.
 23. A method for manufacturing a packing for applying thechromatography method according to claim 12, comprising the steps:providing a compact bundle of hollow fibers, including in the porouswall of the hollow fibers an organic gel or a precursor of said organicgel intended to be polymerized in situ, so as to leave free and open thelumen of the hollow fibers, generation of a diffusive connection betweensaid hollow fibers with said organic gel or liquid.
 24. A method formanufacturing a packing for applying the chromatography method accordingto claim 1, wherein, a molding of the organic gel into a structuredefining said capillary conduits is achieved.
 25. A packing forchromatography, comprising: a plurality of capillary conduits crossingthe packing between a so-called upstream face intended for inflowing ofthe phase into the packing and a so-called downstream face intended forthe outflow of the mobile phase from the packing, and a continuousmedium permeable to molecular diffusion extending between said conduits,including a porous organic gel or an organic liquid and including atleast one family of connected pores.
 26. The packing according to claim25, wherein the diameter of the capillary conduits of the packing isless than or equal to 500 μm, preferably less than or equal to 150 μmand still more preferably less than or equal to 80 μm.
 27. The packingaccording to claim 25, wherein said continuous medium is formed with anorganic gel, said organic gel being selected from among: (a) a copolymerof styrene and of divinylbenzene, (b) polymethyl methacrylate, (c) acopolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and of divinylbenzene.
 28. Thepacking according to claim 25, wherein said continuous medium is formedwith an organic gel, said organic gel being a polyholoside.
 29. Thepacking according to claim 25, wherein said continuous medium is formedwith an organic liquid extending in the network of connected pores, saidorganic liquid being selected from among: (a) an aliphatic or aromatichydrocarbon, (b) an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol, (c) an aliphatic oraromatic ketone, (d) an aliphatic or aromatic amine, (e) a halogenatedorganic compound.
 30. The packing according to claim 25, comprising amonolith of organic gel permeable to molecular diffusion through whichextend said capillary conduits.
 31. The packing according to claim 25,comprising a monolith of a chemically inert porous material having acontinuous network of pores, said pores being filled with said organicgel or with said organic liquid permeable to molecular diffusion. 32.The packing according to claim 31, comprising a monolith of a chemicallyinert porous material having a continuous network of pores, the surfaceof said pores being covered with the organic gel permeable to moleculardiffusion over a selected thickness so as to retain, in said network ofpores, a free space for diffusion of the mobile phase, said organic gelforming a continuous network of pores between the conduits.